Overview
- Waymo has temporarily suspended its robotaxi operations on U.S. freeways in multiple regions, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Miami, while it integrates software updates to improve behavior around construction zones and flooded lanes.
- The company filed a voluntary recall with NHTSA on May 11 that says certain 5th- and 6th-generation driving systems may slow and then drive into standing water on higher-speed roads.
- Waymo has rolled out interim over-the-air updates and tightened weather-based operating limits but also paused rider service in several cities after unoccupied vehicles were recorded entering or stopping in floodwater.
- The recall covers roughly 3,700–3,800 vehicles in Waymo's fleet and has drawn review from federal safety agencies, with the NTSB also engaged in follow-up inquiries.
- The interruptions threaten faster freeway and airport routes that Waymo relies on to scale paid rides and could slow planned expansion if regulators or technical fixes delay full service resumption.