Federal safety investigators are scrutinizing Waymo, the autonomous vehicle division of Alphabet Inc., over numerous incidents involving its driverless cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a preliminary investigation into 22 incidents where Waymo’s vehicles were reportedly the sole participants in collisions or exhibited potentially unlawful driving behaviors.
Details of the Investigation
The inquiry by NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation focuses on various troubling incidents, including collisions with static objects like gates, parked vehicles, and instances where autonomous driving systems (ADS) seemingly disregarded traffic controls. Additional concerns involve Waymo vehicles driving on incorrect sides of the road or illegally entering construction areas.
Some incidents were self-reported by Waymo under a standing order from NHTSA, which mandates all companies to report any collisions involving autonomous vehicles. Other cases were gathered from public sources, highlighting the increasing visibility and scrutiny of autonomous vehicle operations.
Public Safety Concerns and Viral Incidents
The investigation has been partly triggered by viral videos showcasing erratic behaviors by Waymo vehicles, including one in Tempe, Arizona, where a driverless car maneuvered into oncoming traffic. Another incident captured a Waymo vehicle navigating wrongly down a street, surrounded by electric unicycle riders.
These incidents contribute to growing public safety concerns regarding autonomous vehicles, particularly the reliability of their navigation systems in complex urban environments.
Waymo’s Response and Safety Record
In response to the investigation, Waymo emphasizes its commitment to safety and its cooperative stance with regulatory bodies like NHTSA. Christopher Bonelli, a spokesperson for Waymo, stated, “At Waymo, we currently serve over 50 thousand weekly trips for our riders in some of the most challenging and complex environments. We are proud of our performance and safety record over tens of millions of autonomous miles driven, as well as our demonstrated commitment to safety transparency.”
Waymo also highlighted its recent analysis, comparing 7.13 million miles driven autonomously in cities like Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Francisco against human driving benchmarks. The company claims its technology substantially reduces the occurrence of serious incidents compared to human drivers.
Regulatory and Expansion Challenges
This investigation arrives at a pivotal moment for Waymo, which recently received approval to expand its robotaxi operations into Los Angeles—a significant market for autonomous vehicle services. The company is also testing its driverless vehicles on highways to prepare for broader passenger services.
However, the broader autonomous vehicle industry faces increased scrutiny from federal regulators concerning the safety and reliability of driver-assist and autonomous technologies. High-profile accidents involving autonomous vehicles, including other companies like Cruise and Tesla, have intensified these regulatory challenges, emphasizing the need for proven safety assurances to the public and regulators.
Conclusion
As autonomous technology continues to evolve, the balance between innovation and public safety remains a critical concern. Waymo’s ongoing developments and interactions with federal safety regulators will be crucial in shaping the future landscape of autonomous transportation, particularly in how these technologies are integrated into public roadways and their acceptance by the general populace.