Waymo recalls 3,800 robotaxis after able ‘drive into standing water’

Waymo is recalling nearly 3,800 robotaxis in the U.S. to fix software issues that could allow them to “lead onto a flooded roadway.” a letter on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.

The voluntary recall is for Waymo vehicles that use the company’s fifth- and sixth-generation automated driving systems (or ADS), the US auto safety regulator said in a letter published Tuesday.

Waymo autonomous vehicles in Austin, Texas, were recently seen on camera driving into a flooded street and stopping, requiring other drivers to go around them. Similar events occurred elsewhere; Latest security issues AlphabetIts owned AV unit is rapidly strengthening its vehicle fleet and entering new US markets.

Waymo has faced criticism for its vehicles’ performance during failure to yield to school buses in Austin and widespread power outages in San Francisco in December, when robotaxis stopped traffic and caused congestion.

The company said Tuesday that it “identified an area for improvement related to impassable flooded lanes specific to high-speed highways” and chose to file a “voluntary software recall” with NHTSA.

“Waymo provides more than half a million rides each week in some of the most challenging driving environments across the United States, and safety is our top priority,” the company said.

Waymo added that it is working on “additional software protections” and has implemented “mitigation measures” by limiting where robot axes will operate during extreme weather conditions to avoid “areas where flash flooding may occur” during periods of heavy rain.

The company currently operates a commercial robotaxi service in 11 U.S. markets and has extensive public access in cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin and Miami. In a few markets, the service is available to select travelers.

Waymo also told CNBC on Tuesday that its robotaxi service in San Antonio, Texas, was temporarily suspended.

On April 20, the Waymo AV in San Antonio entered a flooded road and was swept into a creek with no occupants; This prompted an NHTSA investigation and led to the latest voluntary recall.

The company said it was “preparing operations to resume public rides” in San Antonio.

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