News Summary

Waymo, the autonomous ride-hailing service owned by Google’s parent company Alphabet, is preparing to issue a software recall for its self-driving cars. This decision comes after multiple reports that its robotaxi fleet illegally passed stopped school buses with extended stop signs and flashing lights, particularly in cities like Atlanta and Austin, Texas. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began investigating the issue after receiving documented instances from the Austin Independent School District and other sources. In response, Waymo plans to file the voluntary software recall early next week. The company’s Chief Safety Officer, Mauricio Peña, emphasized Waymo’s commitment to safety and continuous improvement, acknowledging that while the company has a strong safety record, it is essential to address areas where vehicle behavior can be enhanced. Waymo has previously issued several software recalls to address safety concerns, including incidents involving collisions with stationary objects.