On the Dash:
- Waymo is recalling potentially 3,871 robotaxis equipped with fifth-generation automated driving systems.
- The recall follows incidents in which vehicles entered active freeway construction zones in Arizona and California.
- Software updates and new operational procedures will be deployed to improve construction zone detection and response.
Waymo is recalling 3,871 robotaxis equipped with fifth-generation automated driving systems after identifying a software defect that allowed vehicles to enter active freeway construction zones and continue operating at highway speeds. The recall was filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The incidents began back on April 11 in Phoenix, Arizona, where one vehicle failed to respond to ramp-closure signage. Eight additional events followed on April 19, also in Phoenix, before seven Waymo vehicles entered active freeway lanes in the San Francisco Bay Area on May 18, driving between traffic cones into live construction areas. Waymo’s field safety committee implemented restrictions on freeway driving following those events.
According to the NHTSA recall report, the software defect caused vehicles to either prioritize avoidance of other roadway hazards or fail to recognize construction zone closures altogether. Waymo’s safety board reviewed the incident record and additional vehicle performance data before voting on June 8 to proceed with the recall.
The remedy will include software improvements to prevent vehicles from entering construction zones, enhanced detection capabilities to recognize active work areas, and additional operational protocols for freeway closures.
The recall comes as the autonomous vehicle industry continues its push toward broader deployment. This week, Uber, Lucid, and Nuro announced plans to launch a robotaxi service in Houston in 2027, while Mobileye said it also intends to enter the robotaxi market that year.
