Waymo is recalling roughly 3,800 robotaxis after they drove onto flooded streets.
According to a letter on the National Highway Traffic Administration's website, the voluntary recall will allow Waymo to address software issues in the company's fifth and sixth generation automated driving systems.
In April, an unoccupied Waymo entered a flooded road in San Antonio and was swept away into a creek. The recall notice said the vehicle detected the flooded road but continued on its path at a reduced speed.
Self-driving Waymo vehicles were recently seen on camera driving onto flooded roads in Austin, Texas, and stalling, causing other drivers to swerve around them. Similar incidents were reported in other cities.
"Waymo provides over half a million trips every week in some of the most challenging driving environments across the U.S., and safety is our primary priority," the company said in a statement.
Waymo said it's adding software safeguards and taking steps to limit the areas where robotaxis can operate during extreme weather so they might avoid places prone to flash flooding.
Waymo robotaxis are currently in 11 U.S. markets, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin and Miami. The company has temporarily suspended service in San Antonio.
Photo credit: Courtesy photo
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