Waymo recalls robotaxis for driving on flooded roads

Waymo is recalling its self-driving software that allows its cars to drive on flooded roads. To remember it covers 3,791 vehicles that operate using Waymo’s fifth and sixth systems.

In documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Alphabet Inc. company said Waymo’s unmanned robotaxi “encountered a flooded section of roadway with a 40 mph speed limit.” Although he realized that the road was flooded, the car “moved slowly.” Waymo said it is currently working on a fix. Meanwhile, the company has modified its vehicles to “increase weather-related challenges and update vehicle maps.”

Although no one was injured in the incident, it clearly shows the dangers for the driverless car industry when they are faced with road changes due to bad weather. In its first few years of operation, Waymo stuck to cities with warm, dry climates — places like Phoenix, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Austin. But as it looks to East Coast cities, including Boston, New York City, and Washington, DC, for the next phase of its growth, its potential dealing with extreme weather conditions it will be an important test.