Feds Probe Waymo Robotaxi School Bus Safety in Austin
▼ Summary
– The NHTSA has requested detailed information from Waymo about its self-driving system following reports of its robotaxes illegally passing stopped school buses.
– An initial investigation was opened in October after a Waymo vehicle in Atlanta maneuvered around a bus with its stop sign extended and lights flashing.
– Waymo issued a software update to address the issue, but the Austin School District reported 19 illegal passes this school year, including some after the update.
– The Austin School District has demanded Waymo cease operations during student arrival and departure hours, stating the software fix is not working adequately.
– Waymo states safety is its top priority, contends its updates have improved performance, and says it will work collaboratively with the NHTSA.
Federal safety officials are seeking detailed information from Waymo regarding its autonomous vehicle technology following multiple reports from a Texas school district. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has formally requested data on Waymo’s self-driving system and operational protocols. This inquiry stems from a series of incidents in Austin where school district officials documented 19 separate instances of Waymo robotaxis illegally passing stopped school buses during the current academic year. The agency’s Office of Defects Investigation is leading this probe, which represents an escalation of an initial investigation launched in October.
That earlier investigation was prompted by footage from Atlanta showing a Waymo vehicle maneuvering around a bus with its stop sign extended and lights flashing. In that event, the autonomous car crossed in front of the bus from the right before turning left around its front. Waymo responded by stating the bus was partially blocking a driveway, obstructing the robotaxi’s view of the safety signals. The company also announced it had deployed a software update intended to improve its fleet’s performance around school buses.
Despite this update, reports of violations have persisted. The Austin Independent School District noted in a communication to Waymo that at least five of the 19 reported incidents occurred after the company implemented its software fix on November 17. In a strongly worded letter dated November 20, the district demanded that Waymo immediately halt its vehicle operations during key student transportation hours, from 5:20 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., until more robust updates are completed. District officials expressed that they “cannot allow Waymo to continue endangering our students while it attempts to implement a fix.”
In a statement, Waymo reiterated that safety remains its top priority, citing internal data indicating its vehicles have contributed to improved road safety overall. The company pointed to a significant reduction in injury-related crashes compared to human drivers. “We have already made software updates to improve our performance and are committed to continuous improvement,” the statement read. Waymo also emphasized its collaborative relationship with NHTSA, asserting that the software updates have enhanced performance to a level surpassing that of human drivers in similar scenarios.
NHTSA’s follow-up letter to Waymo, sent just four days after the school district’s demand, referenced the Austin reports directly. Regulators posed several critical questions to the company. They asked whether Waymo had complied with the district’s request to cease operations during specified times, whether the implemented software fix had effectively addressed the safety concern, and if the company planned to file an official recall. The agency’s ongoing scrutiny highlights the complex challenges of integrating autonomous vehicles into dynamic urban environments, particularly in zones with heightened pedestrian activity like school routes.
(Source: TechCrunch)
