Waymo recalled 3,871 of its 5th Generation Automated Driving Systems after reports surfaced that several robotaxis entered closed freeway construction zones.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a recall report that the vehicle software may allow the car to enter a closed freeway construction zone and continue driving at posted speeds, and Waymo, the robotaxi operator, estimates 100% of the affected vehicles are impacted; the units were manufactured between May 17, 2022, and May 19.
Waymo's Field Safety Committee began meeting in late April after reviewing six events in which robotaxis drove past ramp-closure signs into freeway construction zones and met again in May to discuss seven additional instances in the San Francisco Bay Area.
As of June 13, Waymo said a remedy was under development and that it will deploy a software update when available.
Until the root cause is identified and fixed, Waymo's Field Safety Committee restricted freeway driving for its vehicles.
