Waymo Self-Driving Cars Under NHTSA Investigation After String of Crashes

US authorities has initiated an investigation over Waymo's self-driving cars after reported road safety violations.

Waymo's robotaxis got involved in 22 incidents including vehicle crashes, driven in the wrong lane, or into construction zones, leading to a federal inquiry into its autonomous car software.

The NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is evaluating the software's ability to avoid stationary objects and identify and respond to "traffic safety control devices" such as cones. This is a "preliminary evaluation," which the ODI usually finishes in eight months.

Waymo acknowledges the vital role of the NHTSA in promoting road safety and noted that they will continue to work with authorities, according to a report from TechCrunch.

In two days, the ODI has announced two autonomous car investigations. After complaints of motorbikes rear-ending Amazon-backed Zoox's Toyota Highlanders with autonomous technology after abrupt braking, ODI began an investigation on Monday.

What Went Wrong with Waymo?

Three months after Waymo's initial autonomous software recall, the inquiry began. Two automobiles hit a towed pickup truck in Phoenix, Arizona, prompting this recall.

Waymo's robotaxis has struggled on construction sites, as shown in a viral footage. According to ODI, a Waymo robotaxi driving off a paved road into a construction zone in Phoenix in October damaged its underbody.

Other instances in the report include Waymo's autonomous car hitting an SUV while rerouting in San Francisco. In another May San Francisco incident, a Waymo AV hit a parked car bumper during a "pullover maneuver."

Many collisions involved small mistakes, such as the parking complex automated gate navigation. Some Waymo AVs smashed into gates, while one in Arizona backed into parking spikes, causing a flat tire in February. Another Waymo AV hit a parking lot chain in November.

These accidents may not entail casualties, but they demonstrate the complicated hurdles and unforeseen scenarios autonomous cars must overcome to be reliable.

How Does Waymo Ensure Safety of Its Self-Driving Cars?

Waymo's latest issue comes after it was reported that its self-driving cars have proven safe on Phoenix's bigger roadways, as previously reported by TechTimes.

In demonstrations, Waymo staffers drive autonomous vehicles on roadways without drivers. This is a big deal for Waymo, as highways have more lanes and more traffic than city streets.

Moreover, Waymo has begun robotaxis testing in Atlanta, marking a new milestone in its extensive testing and deployment efforts.

Waymo aims to deploy a fleet of human-operated vehicles to gather mapping data and learn about Atlanta's roads and surroundings in the coming months. After this initial phase, Waymo will test autonomous vehicles in Atlanta without a safety driver.

The choice to test in Atlanta supports Waymo's objective of testing its autonomous driving system, the Waymo Driver, in varied urban areas to improve its flexibility and safety.

Waymo first deploys a few Waymo driver-equipped vehicles to a new city, where human professionals manually run them. This hands-on strategy helps Waymo drivers learn local driving conditions and landmarks.

Once the Waymo Driver understands its operational environment, the cars go autonomous, with human professionals onboard to offer input and solve any new location-specific difficulties.

Testing inputs are essential for improving the Waymo driver and service experience. Waymo's intensive testing in numerous places has enhanced sensor technology and operating performance.