Waymo Recalls Robotaxi Software Over School Bus Safety Concerns

Waymo is recalling its self-driving software. The Alphabet-owned company will file the voluntary recall next week. The action addresses how its robotaxis behave around school buses. It follows an investigation by federal safety regulators.The company identified the issue and deployed a software fix on November 17. Officials in Atlanta and Austin had reported problematic incidents. Waymo states its updated software now performs better than human drivers in these scenarios.

NHTSA Investigation Prompted Recall Decision

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an inquiry in October. According to the agency, footage showed a Waymo vehicle in Atlanta maneuvering improperly around a stopped school bus. The bus had its stop sign extended and lights flashing.The robotaxi crossed in front of the bus from the right side. It then turned left around the front of the vehicle before proceeding. Similar events were reported in Austin, Texas.Austin School District officials cited at least five incidents. They said these occurred after Waymo’s initial software update. In total, the district reported 19 illegal passes by Waymo vehicles this year.

Broader Impact on Autonomous Vehicle Trust

This recall marks another moment of heightened scrutiny for the robotaxi industry. Software recalls are common for modern connected vehicles. They allow companies to address issues through updates, often before an official filing.For Waymo, the move is part of managing its public safety record. The company has emphasized its vehicles have a strong safety record. It claims they experience twelve times fewer injury crashes involving pedestrians than human drivers.The voluntary action is a proactive step. It aims to maintain public and regulatory trust. Continuous software improvement is framed as a core commitment.

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This software recall underscores the ongoing challenge of programming autonomous vehicles for every complex real-world scenario, especially those involving vulnerable road users like children.

Info at your fingertips

What is a voluntary software recall?

It is a proactive action where a company files a notice with regulators like NHTSA about a software fix. The update is often already deployed to vehicles. This formalizes the correction and informs the public.

Were there any injuries from these incidents?

Waymo confirms no injuries occurred. The recall addresses the potential risk of the vehicle’s behavior around school buses. Safety is cited as the top priority for the company.

Where did the problematic incidents happen?

Reports came from Atlanta, Georgia, and Austin, Texas. These are cities where Waymo operates its commercial robotaxi service. The NHTSA investigation began after reviewing footage from Atlanta.

How does Waymo’s safety record compare to human drivers?

The company states its vehicles have a far lower rate of injury crashes involving pedestrians. They claim it is twelve times better than the human driver benchmark. This statistic is often used to advocate for autonomous technology.

Has Waymo done recalls before?

Yes. The company issued a voluntary software recall earlier this year. It also filed two recalls in 2024. One was related to a collision with a telephone pole during a low-speed maneuver.