Waymo Restarts Limited Freeway Robotaxi Service in Phoenix

Waymo has resumed limited freeway operations for its robotaxi service in Phoenix, marking a cautious return to high-speed roads after a more than two-month suspension prompted by safety concerns. The company announced the gradual restart on July 29, 2026, stating that service will be expanded to other cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Miami, in the coming days.

The decision to halt freeway driving in May followed a series of incidents where Waymo vehicles failed to recognize closed construction zones and entered them at speed. According to a company filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in June, there were at least 13 such events recorded in April and May, primarily in Phoenix and San Francisco. No injuries or collisions were reported. In response, Waymo issued a voluntary software recall and implemented updates designed to improve the vehicles' ability to identify and navigate around construction zones through enhanced scene recognition and routing.

Interested customers in Phoenix can now join a waitlist through the Waymo app to access freeway routes, though the company notes that vehicles may still reroute away from highways due to...