Waymo plans to voluntarily issue a software recall with federal safety regulators regarding how its robotaxis operate around school buses. The Alphabet-owned company stated it will file this recall early next week. Waymo explained that it identified the issue and updated its software on November 17. The company contends this update has meaningfully improved performance to a level better than human drivers in this area.
Software recalls have become more common with modern passenger vehicles and robotaxis, where operations are handled by software. These updates or fixes are often made before the official recall but still carry weight when filed with the federal government.
Waymo’s decision follows increased scrutiny by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and criticism by officials in Atlanta and Austin over its robotaxis’ interactions with school buses. The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened an initial investigation in October after reviewing footage of a Waymo autonomous vehicle maneuvering around a stopped school bus that was unloading children in Atlanta. In that incident, the robotaxi crossed perpendicularly in front of the bus from its right side, then turned left around the front of the bus before proceeding.
Other similar incidents were reported in Austin, where Waymo operates a robotaxi service with partner Uber. Austin School District officials stated in a letter that at least five such incidents occurred after Waymo said it had updated its software. The NHTSA sent a letter on December 3 requesting more information from Waymo about its self-driving system and operations, following reports that its robotaxis illegally passed school buses 19 times this year. Regulators asked for detailed information about its fifth-generation self-driving system.
In a statement, Waymo Chief Safety Officer Mauricio Peña said the company is proud of its safety record but recognizes when its behavior should be better. As a result, Waymo decided to file a voluntary software recall related to appropriately slowing and stopping in these scenarios. The company emphasized its commitment to continuous improvement.
No injuries occurred related to the vehicle behavior addressed by this recall. Waymo has stated that safety is its top priority and that it will continue to work with the NHTSA. The company says it will continue to investigate, track, and implement more updates as needed.
Waymo also issued a voluntary software recall earlier this year, as well as two in 2024. One of the 2024 recalls was issued after a Waymo vehicle in Phoenix, driving without a human safety operator, collided with a telephone pole in an alley during a low-speed pullover maneuver.