Alphabet’s autonomous driving division, Waymo, has recently announced a recall of more than 1,200 self-driving vehicles in the United States. The purpose of this recall is to update the software of these vehicles and address potential collision risks with chains, gates, and other roadway barriers.
This decision comes in the wake of an investigation conducted by US auto safety authorities into the performance of Waymo’s fifth-generation automated driving system. The recall specifically affects 1,212 Waymo vehicles that are currently utilizing the company’s automated driving system software.
Waymo currently operates a fleet of over 1,500 vehicles in major US cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin, Texas. The company also has plans to expand its services to additional cities including Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, DC.
According to reports, Waymo has experienced 16 collisions involving chains, gates, and other barriers between 2022 and late 2024. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of these incidents. The information regarding these collisions was submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), prompting the agency to open an investigation into Waymo’s self-driving vehicles due to reports of traffic safety law violations.
The NHTSA highlighted that several incidents involved collisions with visible objects that a competent driver would typically avoid. Despite the ongoing investigation, Waymo has taken proactive measures to address the issue by implementing a software update to its automated driving system, which was initiated in November.
In a statement, Waymo emphasized that they provide more than 250,000 paid trips each week in some of the most challenging driving environments in the US. The company also highlighted their track record of reducing injuries over tens of millions of fully autonomous miles driven, showcasing the safety benefits of their technology.
This recall is not the first for Waymo, as the company previously recalled 444 vehicles in February 2024 following two minor collisions in Arizona attributed to a software error. Additionally, over 670 vehicles were recalled in June after a vehicle struck a wooden utility pole in Phoenix, where the software failed to avoid the object.
In a separate incident earlier this year, Tesla also issued a recall for approximately 239,000 vehicles due to a defect affecting the rear-view camera display. The automotive industry continues to prioritize safety and innovation as autonomous driving technology evolves.
As Waymo addresses the software update and safety concerns with their self-driving vehicles, the company remains committed to enhancing road safety and delivering reliable autonomous transportation services to the public.
