The Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration has requested Waymo for extra details about its self-driving system and operations following studies from the Austin Faculty District that its robotaxis illegally handed faculty buses 19 instances this yr.
In a December 3 letter despatched to Waymo, regulators requested detailed details about its fifth-generation self-driving system and operations. Reuters was the first to report on the letter, which comes two months for the reason that company opened an investigation into Waymo over how its robotaxis carry out round stopped faculty buses.
The company’s Workplace of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened its preliminary investigation into the Alphabet-owned firm in October after seeing footage of a Waymo autonomous car maneuvering round a stopped faculty bus — with its cease signal prolonged and lights flashing — that was unloading youngsters in Atlanta. In that incident, a Waymo robotaxi crossed perpendicularly in entrance of the college bus from its proper facet. The autonomous car then turned left across the entrance of the bus earlier than touring down the road.
Waymo has stated the bus was partially blocking the driveway and that the robotaxi couldn’t see the flashing lights or cease signal.
Waymo additionally stated it issued a software program replace to its fleet to enhance efficiency.
Experiences of Waymo robotaxis illegally passing faculty buses has continued even after the repair. The Austin Faculty District has reported 19 totally different cases of Waymo automated autos illegally passing faculty buses for the reason that starting of the 2025-26 faculty yr. The varsity district famous in a letter to Waymo that at the very least 5 of those occurred after Waymo stated it up to date its software program on November 17.
In an emailed assertion, Waymo stated security is its high precedence. The corporate additionally stated information reveals its robotaxis are enhancing highway security, noting a fivefold discount in injury-related crashes in comparison with human drivers, and twelve instances fewer damage crashes involving pedestrians.
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“We have now already made software program updates to enhance our efficiency and are dedicated to steady enchancment,” the assertion continued. “NHTSA performs an important function in highway security, and we’ll proceed to work collaboratively with the company as a part of our mission to be the world’s most trusted driver.”
Waymo contends that the software program updates have meaningfully improved efficiency to a stage higher than human drivers on this space.
Austin Faculty District appear to disagree and have requested Waymo to stop operations throughout sure instances of the day when college students are arriving and departing faculty.
“Waymo’s software program updates are clearly not working as supposed nor as rapidly as required,” the district’s November 20 letter to Waymo reads. “We can not permit Waymo to proceed endangering our college students whereas it makes an attempt to implement a repair. Accordingly, Austin ISD calls for that Waymo instantly stop operation of its automated autos throughout the hours of 5:20 a.m. — 9:30 a.m. and three:00 p.m. — 7:00 p.m., till extra in-depth software program updates are accomplished and Waymo can assure its autos will adjust to the legislation.”
Federal regulators with the Workplace of Defects Investigation despatched Waymo a letter 4 days later noting that it had been alerted by Austin faculty district officers. The investigators requested if Waymo had ceased operations, per the college district’s request, if its software program mounted mitigated this concern, and if Waymo deliberate to file a recall?