The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating Alphabet’s Waymo self-driving vehicles following reports of unexpected behavior and traffic violations. The investigation was based on 22 reports with the company’s robotaxis, detailing 17 crashes into stationary objects such as gate arms, parked cars, and chains. Other incidents included participating in actions against traffic control devices by driving in oncoming lanes or construction zones.
The NHTSA expressed concerns that such behaviors could raise the risk of crashes, property damage, and injuries, particularly since some of the incidents happened near pedestrians. As part of the investigation, Waymo must respond to detailed questions and provide comprehensive data on its fleet’s public road operations by August 6. The probe could result in a recall if vehicles are considered an unreasonable safety risk.
Waymo used to boast about a safety record for having chugged tens of millions of miles, ways its autonomous vehicles have traveled. That was before this federal investigation became just the latest into so-called self-driving technology, following similar investigations that probed General Motors’ Cruise and Amazon’s Zoox vehicles.
Waymo recalled 444 self-driving vehicles in February after a software error caused two minor collisions in Arizona—another reminder still of the ongoing challenges and scrutiny an autonomous vehicle industry faces.
