Waymo has initiated a recall of 3,871 robotaxis operating in the United States after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identified a software problem that could permit the vehicles to enter a closed freeway construction zone and continue driving at speed, the regulator said on Thursday.
The recall applies specifically to certain Fifth Generation Automated Driving Systems installed in Waymo robotaxis. According to the NHTSA statement, the issue stems from ADS behavior that may not reliably detect and avoid closed construction zones on freeways.
As an interim safety measure, Waymo has narrowed the permitted scope of vehicle operations by restricting freeway driving for the affected fleet, NHTSA said. The company will also deliver an update to the ADS software that is intended to improve the system's ability to determine the vehicle's location and avoid entering closed construction zones.
NHTSA noted that the software revision will be provided at no cost to vehicle owners or operators. The regulator's announcement framed the recall and operational restrictions as responses to the identified software shortcoming rather than hardware defects.
This action centers on software control of automated driving functions and the operational limits applied to the affected vehicles while Waymo prepares and deploys the corrective update. The recall and temporary limitations were disclosed in the NHTSA communication on Thursday.
Clear summary
Waymo is recalling 3,871 U.S. robotaxis because a software issue in certain Fifth Generation ADS could allow the vehicles to enter closed freeway construction zones and continue at speed. NHTSA said Waymo has restricted freeway driving and will issue a free ADS software update to improve location detection and prevent entry into construction zones.
Key points
- 3,871 robotaxis in the United States are included in the recall.
- The recall involves certain Fifth Generation Automated Driving Systems and a software issue that could lead to entering closed freeway construction zones and continuing at speed.
- Waymo has limited freeway driving for the affected vehicles and will provide a free ADS software update to detect location and avoid construction zones.
Risks and uncertainties
- There is a risk that affected vehicles could enter closed freeway construction zones and continue driving at speed until the software is updated, an issue directly cited by NHTSA.
- Temporary operational restrictions on freeway driving may alter service availability for the affected robotaxi fleet until the ADS update is deployed.
- The resolution depends on the timely development and rollout of a software update that accurately detects vehicle location relative to construction zones.