Waymo recalls 3,871 robotaxis over construction zone risk

Waymo has issued a voluntary software recall for 3,871 of its robotaxis after multiple incidents in which the driverless cars entered closed freeway construction zones at highway speeds. The recall, filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, affects all vehicles using the company's fifth-generation automated driving system and was prompted by at least 13 separate events in Phoenix and the San Francisco Bay Area earlier this year.

According to the NHTSA filing, the automated driving system could, under certain circumstances, "enter and drive at speed in freeway construction zones due to inappropriately prioritizing the avoidance of other freeway hazards and/or failing to recognize the construction zone." The company stated it identified an area for improvement regarding performance around such zones and voluntarily restricted all freeway operations last month while developing a fix.

The specific incidents occurred in two clusters. In Phoenix in April, six Waymo vehicles drove past ramp closure signs into pre-planned construction zones on April 11 and 19. Following a review, the company's Field Safety Committee restricted freeway operations in that city. Then,...