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Waymo, the self-driving vehicle division of Alphabet, has recalled nearly 3,900 robotaxis across the United States after identifying a software issue that could allow vehicles to enter closed freeway construction zones. The recall follows multiple incidents in California and Arizona where autonomous vehicles failed to recognize ramp closure signs and proceeded into active work areas. The company has already updated its software and temporarily restricted freeway operations while implementing improvements. The development comes shortly after another recall linked to flooded-road navigation and amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny of Waymo's autonomous driving technology.
Waymo has recalled nearly 3,900 autonomous robotaxis in the United States after discovering a software-related issue that could cause vehicles to enter closed freeway construction zones and continue driving through areas with active roadwork.
The recall, recently filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), marks the company's second vehicle recall in a little over a month. According to regulatory filings, the issue was linked to more than a dozen incidents reported since early April across California and Arizona.
During these incidents, Waymo's autonomous vehicles failed to properly recognize ramp closure signs and drove into pre-planned freeway construction zones or lanes where construction work was underway. While no injuries related to these incidents were reported, the cases highlighted limitations in the vehicles' ability to respond to certain temporary traffic management measures.
Following the incidents, Waymo imposed restrictions on freeway operations while engineers worked on improving the system's ability to identify and respond to freeway closures. The company has since deployed updated software designed to prevent vehicles from entering such construction areas.
In a statement, Waymo said it had identified an area where performance around freeway construction zones could be improved. The company added that it voluntarily restricted freeway operations in the past month while implementing enhancements to address the issue.
The latest action comes soon after another recall involving approximately 3,800 Waymo robotaxis. That recall was linked to concerns that autonomous vehicles could enter flooded roadways where speed limits were higher.
The earlier recall followed an incident in April when an unoccupied Waymo vehicle drove into a flooded lane in San Antonio during extreme weather conditions. Although no injuries occurred, the event prompted the company to review how its vehicles handled high-speed driving situations involving impassable flooded roads.
Waymo has faced several recalls over the past two years as it continues to expand its autonomous ride-hailing operations. Previous recalls addressed issues involving the prediction of movements by towed vehicles and the system's response to poles and similar fixed roadside objects.
The company is also facing regulatory scrutiny on other fronts. NHTSA is investigating an incident in Santa Monica, California, where a Waymo self-driving vehicle struck a child near an elementary school earlier this year, resulting in minor injuries.
Separately, the National Transportation Safety Board launched an investigation after Waymo vehicles were found to have illegally passed a stopped school bus displaying activated warning lights. Concerns over similar incidents had already led to a recall by the company late last year.
As autonomous vehicle deployment expands across major U.S. cities, regulators and manufacturers continue to focus on improving safety performance in uncommon but complex road situations. Construction zones, emergency conditions and temporary traffic controls remain among the most challenging environments for self-driving systems, making continuous software updates and regulatory oversight a key part of the industry's development.
Source Reuters
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