Waymo robotaxis recalled following a software issue that could cause vehicles to drive into flooded roads. The recall affects nearly 3,800 self-driving cars in the US using the company’s fifth and sixth-generation automated driving systems.
Details of the Waymo robotaxis recalled
The voluntary recall was initiated after an incident in San Antonio, Texas, where an empty Waymo vehicle entered a flooded road and was swept into a creek. This event occurred on 20 April and prompted the company to take precautionary measures to ensure passenger safety and prevent similar incidents.
Waymo, owned by Alphabet, stated that safety is its primary priority and that it is working on additional software safeguards to address the issue. Some mitigations have already been implemented, including limiting access to areas prone to flash flooding.
Impact on Waymo services and future plans
Following the incident, Waymo’s service in San Antonio remains temporarily suspended. The company plans to resume public rides only after the necessary software fixes have been fully deployed. Despite this setback, Waymo continues to provide over 500,000 trips per week across several US cities, including San Francisco, Austin, and Miami.
Waymo also has plans to launch a robotaxi service in London by September, indicating ongoing expansion efforts despite recent challenges.
Expert perspective and industry context
Jack Stilgoe, a professor of science and technology policy at University College London, commented that all self-driving car systems have operational limits, which often become apparent only when incidents occur. He noted that as autonomous vehicle deployment increases, more such issues are likely to arise. However, he emphasized that the technology remains beneficial overall, while highlighting the importance of policymakers being informed about potential risks in advance.
Recent incidents involving other driverless car companies have also raised safety concerns. For example, a large power outage in San Francisco in December 2025 caused Waymo taxis to stop working citywide, and a mass outage of Apollo Go robotaxis in Wuhan, China, in April led to numerous vehicles stopping mid-traffic.
