Waymo's 2025 software recall may be less effective than initially thought. Several months after Waymo issued a voluntary software recall on its robotaxis for running red lights and stop signs from stopped school buses, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into the recall's effectiveness. The recall query began on Friday to determine whether Waymo's update worked, since "a majority of incidents occurred after the ... remedy date." NHTSA's first probe revealed that Waymo's robotaxis were documented driving past stopped school buses with flashing red lights and stop sign arms deployed in Atlanta, Georgia and Austin, Texas. While the software recall was installed across the entire robotaxi fleet and completed in November 2025, the NHTSA's newest investigation will determine if the update actually fixed the problem and to "identify the causes of the conditions leading to the post-remedy reports." Beyond the NHTSA's inquiries, the National Transportation Safety Board, an independent federal agency, launched its own investigation into Waymo's robotaxi behavior around stopped school buses earlier this year.
The investigation highlights ongoing safety concerns surrounding autonomous vehicle technology. Despite the widespread software update, reports of stop sign violations persist, prompting federal scrutiny. The NHTSA's latest probe aims to assess whether the technical remedy addressed the root cause of the hazardous driving behavior.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing