Waymo updates software after robotaxi drives into telephone pole

By Brianna Wessling | June 12, 2024

Waymo is issuing a voluntary software recall for all of its 672 robotaxis after one autonomously drove into a telephone pole in Phoenix, Ariz. last month. This is Waymo’s second-ever recall.

The Verge first reported the new software recall. During the incident, which took place on May 21, an empty Waymo vehicle was driving to pick up a passenger. To get there, it drove through an alley lined on both sides by wooden telephone poles that were level with the road, not up on a curb. The road had longitudinal yellow striping on both sides to indicate the path for vehicles.

As the vehicle pulled over, it struck one of the poles at a speed of 8 MPH, sustaining some damage. Waymo says no passengers or bystanders were hurt.

After completing the software update, the Mountain View, Calif.-based company filed the recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Waymo says this update corrects an error in the software that “assigns a low damage score” to the telephone pole. Additionally, it updates the company’s map so its vehicles can better account for the hard road edge in the alleyway that was previously not included.

“Following an event on May 21 in Phoenix, we have chosen to file a voluntary software recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to address a mapping and software issue. We have already deployed mapping and software updates across our entire fleet, and this does not impact our current operations. As we serve more riders in more cities, we will continue our safety first approach, working to earn trust with our riders, community members, regulators, and policymakers,” a Waymo spokesperson told The Robot Report.

Waymo’s engineers deployed the recall at its central depot where its robotaxis regularly return to for maintenance and testing. It was not an over-the-air software update.

Waymo expands operations despite scrutiny

Last February, Waymo recalled 444 vehicles after two minor collisions. The two collisions happened in December 2023, when two of Waymo’s vehicles, in two different instances, collided with a backward-facing pickup truck being improperly towed ahead of the vehicle. The pickup truck was angled across the center turn lane and traffic lane.

The company is also currently under investigation by the NHTSA for over two dozen incidents involving its driverless vehicles. These incidents include 17 crashes and five reports of possible traffic law violations, according to the NHTSA.

Despite these issues, Waymo has continued to expand its robotaxi services. Last week, the company expanded its service in Phoenix, its largest service area. Waymo added 90 square miles (233 sq. km) to what was already its largest service area in metropolitan Phoenix.

Waymo said its riders can now enjoy Waymo One service across 315 square miles (815.8 sq. km) of the Valley. The expanded service area reaches further into North Phoenix and as far as Desert Ridge. Its new service area covers more of Scottsdale’s resorts and expands to downtown Mesa. This gives riders access to desert attractions, golf courses, and downtown destinations such as the Mesa Arts Center and Pioneer Park.