How this ‘flooding problem’ in US is forcing Google’s Waymo to recall 3,800 robotaxis

Google-owned Waymo is recalling about 3,800 robotaxis in the US. This move comes after the automated vehicle company identified a software issue that could allow its vehicles to drive into flooded roadways, raising fresh concerns about how autonomous systems handle extreme weather conditions. The voluntary recall, disclosed in a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), affects vehicles running the company’s fifth- and sixth-generation automated driving systems. The issue came into focus after multiple incidents, including one in Austin, where robotaxis were seen driving into flooded streets or stalling in heavy rain.According to a report by CNBC, videos circulating from Austin and other locations show Waymo vehicles entering waterlogged roads and stopping mid-traffic, forcing other drivers to manoeuvre around them. In one case last month, a Waymo autonomous vehicle in San Antonio entered a flooded roadway and was swept into a creek. There were no passengers in the vehicle, but the incident prompted a federal investigation.The NHTSA probe and repeated real-world failures led Waymo to issue a “voluntary software recall” to address what the company described as an operational gap.What Waymo said about adding software fixes and operational limits to its vehiclesIn a statement, Waymo said it has “identified an area of improvement regarding untraversable flooded lanes specific to higher-speed roadways,” adding that it is working to resolve the issue through software updates. Waymo said it has already implemented some fixes and is working on “additional software safeguards” to prevent its vehicles from entering flooded areas. The company has also introduced temporary mitigations, including limiting where robotaxis can operate during severe weather conditions.These measures are designed to ensure vehicles avoid “areas where flash flooding might occur” during periods of heavy rain.“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.The recall comes as Waymo continues to expand its robotaxi operations across the U.S. The company currently runs services in 11 markets, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin, and Miami, with varying levels of public access.However, the flooding-related incidents add to a series of operational challenges. Waymo has previously faced criticism for its vehicles failing to yield to school buses in Austin and for disruptions during power outages in San Francisco, where robotaxis stalled and contributed to traffic congestion.The company confirmed that its service in San Antonio remains temporarily suspended following the April incident, though it said it is “readying operations to resume public rides.”