Waymo halts freeway rides after robotaxis struggle in construction zones
Original: Waymo halts freeway rides after robotaxis struggle in construction zones
Why This Matters
Highlights ongoing challenges for autonomous vehicles in complex real-world scenarios
Waymo has suspended robotaxi service on freeways in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Miami due to performance issues in construction zones. The company is integrating recent technical learnings into software and expects to resume routes soon.
Waymo confirmed to TechCrunch it suspended freeway robotaxi operations in four major cities while working to improve performance in construction zones. Surface street operations continue in affected cities. This follows previous suspensions in Atlanta and San Antonio due to flooding issues, with at least one robotaxi getting stuck in Atlanta this week. A software recall was announced last week to help vehicles avoid flooded areas. On May 19, an X user posted video claiming their Waymo ride 'blasted through cones' in a construction zone and was 'chased' by police. Waymo started highway rides in late 2025 as part of expansion goals to offer one million paid rides weekly by end of 2026. The company is also testing its new Zeekr-built Ojai robotaxi.