Waymo Faces NHTSA Inquiry Over 19 Robotaxi Incidents of Passing School Buses in Austin

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has asked Waymo for more information about its self-driving system and operations following reports from the Austin School District that its robotaxis illegally passed school buses 19 times this year. In a December 3 letter sent to Waymo, regulators requested detailed information about its fifth-generation self-driving system and operations. Reuters was the first to report on the letter, which comes two months since the agency opened an investigation into Waymo over how its robotaxis perform around stopped school buses. According to the letter, the agency's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is seeking information on how Waymo's system determines when it is safe to pass a stopped school bus, as well as the company's procedures for ensuring that its robotaxis can detect and respond to school bus stop signs and lights. The agency also wants to know more about the fifth-generation self-driving system's sensor suite and software, which are designed to enable the robotaxis to navigate complex urban environments. Waymo has said in the past that its robotaxis are equipped with a suite of sensors, including lidar, radar, and cameras, which provide a 360-degree view of the surroundings. The company has also stated that its system uses a combination of machine learning algorithms and sensor data to detect and respond to potential hazards, including stopped school buses. The investigation into Waymo's robotaxis follows a high-profile incident in Atlanta in which a Waymo autonomous vehicle passed a stopped school bus with its stop sign extended and lights flashing. In that incident, the robotaxi crossed perpendicularly in front of the school bus from its right side before turning left around the front of the bus and traveling down the street. Waymo has said that the bus was partially blocking the driveway and that the robotaxi could not see the flashing light. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of self-driving vehicles around stopped school buses, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's investigation is seen as a significant step in addressing these concerns. "The safety of children and other road users is our top priority," said a spokesperson for the agency. "We are working closely with Waymo to ensure that its robotaxis are designed and operated to meet the highest safety standards." The investigation is also seen as a test of the regulatory framework for self-driving vehicles, which is still in its early stages. As the industry continues to develop and deploy more advanced autonomous vehicles, regulators will need to ensure that they are designed and operated to meet the highest safety standards. The current status of the investigation is unclear, but it is expected to continue in the coming weeks and months. Waymo has said that it is cooperating fully with the investigation and is committed to ensuring the safety of its robotaxis. The company has also stated that it is working to improve its system's ability to detect and respond to stopped school buses, and that it will take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. In a statement, a Waymo spokesperson said, "We are committed to working with regulators to ensure that our robotaxis are designed and operated to meet the highest safety standards. We are confident that our system is safe and effective, and we look forward to continuing to work with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to address any concerns they may have."