Waymo robotaxi investigated for driving around school bus
▼ Summary
– Federal safety regulators opened an investigation after a Waymo robotaxi drove around a stopped school bus with flashing red lights in Atlanta.
– The NHTSA is examining how Waymo’s self-driving software handles stopped school buses and complies with related traffic rules.
– Waymo stated the robotaxi could not see the bus’s flashing lights or stop sign due to the bus partially blocking the driveway it was exiting.
– The company has issued software updates to improve performance and emphasizes its commitment to safety and collaboration with NHTSA.
– This is part of a broader pattern of NHTSA investigations into Waymo, including prior probes into issues with roadway barriers and wrong-way driving.
A Waymo autonomous vehicle is now under federal review after being recorded navigating around a stopped school bus with its red lights activated. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a formal investigation into the incident, which took place in Atlanta, Georgia, earlier this month. Officials are examining whether the self-driving system correctly identified the bus and adhered to traffic laws designed to protect children.
According to NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation, the Waymo robotaxi crossed in front of the school bus from the right side, then turned left around the front of the vehicle before proceeding down the street. The agency noted that, based on preliminary discussions with Waymo, the likelihood of other prior similar incidents is high. Investigators will focus on how the autonomous software detects stopped school buses and whether it complies with regulations concerning bus stop arms and flashing lights.
Waymo responded by stating the bus was partially blocking the driveway the robotaxi was exiting, and the vehicle’s sensors reportedly failed to recognize the bus’s flashing lights or deployed stop sign. The company did not clarify whether the system detected children exiting the bus. In an official statement, Waymo emphasized that safety is our top priority, pointing to internal data showing its autonomous vehicles are involved in fewer collisions than human-driven cars. They also confirmed deploying a software update to improve how their fleet handles similar situations in the future.
This investigation arrives during a period of rapid expansion for Waymo. The company recently launched robotaxi services in Atlanta and Austin, expanded operations across Silicon Valley, and is conducting tests in several other metropolitan regions, including New York City. Trials are also underway at San Jose and San Francisco airports, with additional cities slated for service by 2026.
This is not NHTSA’s first inquiry into Waymo’s autonomous technology. Last year, the agency investigated reports of vehicles having difficulty navigating around roadway barriers like gates and chains at low speeds. That probe resulted in a 2024 recall addressed through a software update. Another investigation focused on incidents where Waymo cars entered wrong-way lanes or unauthorized construction zones. Each of these events highlights the ongoing challenges self-driving systems face as they encounter unpredictable real-world driving conditions.
(Source: TechCrunch)
