Waymo has initiated a software recall affecting 1,200 of its autonomous robotaxis following a series of low-speed collisions with gates, chains, and similar roadway barriers. According to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the incidents prompted the Alphabet-owned company to deploy a software update late last year designed to significantly reduce the possibility of further occurrences.
The recall came after NHTSA launched a preliminary investigation into Waymo’s automated driving system in May of the previous year. At that point, the federal agency had identified seven separate incidents occurring between December 2022 and April 2024, involving Waymo vehicles colliding with stationary objects such as gates and chains. These incidents did not result in any injuries.
Following the investigation, Waymo’s Safety Board determined that a formal recall of the affected software version was necessary to comply with federal reporting regulations. By November 2024, the company had implemented an update across the impacted vehicles, effectively diminishing the frequency of similar collisions. Waymo documents indicate that, at the time of the update, 1,200 vehicles had received the revised software; currently, the company’s active fleet has grown to approximately 1,500 vehicles deployed in Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco.
During ongoing discussions stemming from NHTSA’s evaluation, Waymo disclosed nine additional collisions involving gate-like barriers occurring between February and December 2024. The company has maintained communications with the regulatory agency while providing relevant data for assessing the comparative safety risks posed by autonomous vehicles.
This recall marks at least the third software-related issue Waymo has faced. In June 2024, the company recalled software in its Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis following a collision with a telephone pole. Additionally, Waymo had to address earlier software issues after two separate robotaxis collided with the same stationary pick-up truck being towed by a recovery vehicle, prompting another recall in February 2024.
