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Waymo Recalls 1,200 Self-Driving Vehicles Over Barrier Collision Risks

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Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle division, is recalling 1,212 self-driving vehicles in the U.S. to fix a software issue that led to minor collisions with chains, gates, and other stationary barriers, the company disclosed on Wednesday.

The recall follows a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) probe initiated in May 2024, investigating reports that Waymo’s robotaxis had engaged in unsafe driving behaviors and failed to avoid clearly visible objects.

Key Details of the Recall:

  • Number of vehicles affected: 1,212 running the fifth-generation automated driving system.

  • Issue: Software misinterpretation of fixed road barriers, such as chains, poles, and gates.

  • Known incidents: 16 minor collisions (2022–late 2024), no injuries reported.

  • Resolution: A software update initiated in November 2024 and fully deployed by December.

  • Total Waymo fleet: Over 1,500 vehicles currently active in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin.

  • Expansion plans: Services launching soon in Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, D.C.

“Our record of reducing injuries over tens of millions of fully autonomous miles driven shows our technology is making roads safer,” Waymo said.

Ongoing Scrutiny

  • The NHTSA investigation remains open, focusing on multiple incidents where Waymo vehicles collided with obvious obstacles that a human driver would typically avoid.

  • In a similar trend, self-driving rivals like GM’s Cruise and Amazon’s Zoox have also been hit with recalls:

    • Cruise was penalized after a serious pedestrian injury in 2023, prompting GM to slash funding.

    • Zoox recalled 270 vehicles last week after a Las Vegas crash involving an unoccupied robotaxi.

Waymo’s Recent Recall History

  • February 2024: 444 vehicles recalled due to faulty predictions of towed vehicle movement.

  • June 2024: 670+ vehicles recalled after a collision with a wooden utility pole in Phoenix.

Despite the recent setbacks, Alphabet shares rose 4% on Wednesday, as investors focused on the broader AI and mobility potential of Waymo.

The recall underscores both the promise and fragility of autonomous driving technology, as companies balance innovation with public safety and regulatory compliance in increasingly complex urban environments.

Amazon’s Zoox Issues Software Recall After Self-Driving Robotaxi Crash in Las Vegas

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Zoox, the self-driving vehicle subsidiary of Amazon, has agreed to recall 270 autonomous vehicles following an April 8 crash in Las Vegas involving one of its unoccupied robotaxis and a passenger car. No injuries were reported, but the incident prompted a temporary suspension of operations and a subsequent software update to correct the issue.

According to Zoox, the crash occurred when the robotaxi misjudged a perpendicular vehicle’s behavior, incorrectly anticipating that the oncoming car would continue moving. Instead, the car stopped and yielded, but the Zoox vehicle had already slowed and shifted right, leading to a collision despite hard braking.

The company identified that the issue arises when its vehicles travel at over 40 mph (64 km/h) and encounter vehicles that slowly encroach from perpendicular driveways. The system’s failure to accurately predict the yielding vehicle’s stop was the root cause of the incident.

Zoox has since rolled out a software fix to prevent similar errors and stated that the vehicle behavior has been addressed. This marks the second recall in recent months: in April, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) closed a probe into 258 Zoox vehicles following two rear-end collisions caused by unexpected braking, after Zoox issued a software update.

However, Zoox remains under NHTSA scrutiny. The agency is still investigating the company’s 2022 self-certification of a robotaxi without traditional controls, such as a steering wheel or pedals.

The incident underscores ongoing regulatory and technical hurdles faced by autonomous vehicle developers as they approach broader deployment.