On June 19, a police officer pulled over a self-driving Waymo vehicle in Phoenix after it ran a red light and entered a lane of oncoming traffic. The incident has been widely reported by local media outlets, including the Arizona Republic.
Bodycam Footage Released
The Arizona Republic released bodycam footage of the traffic stop this week, showing the vehicle weaving in traffic before eventually pulling over into a parking lot. The footage also provides a clear view of the officer’s point of view as he walks up to an empty car.
Dispatch Records Reveal Incident Details
According to dispatch records, which are written in all caps, the vehicle "FREAKED OUT" and was ultimately unable to be issued a citation due to being a computer. The records also note that the officer was unable to issue a citation to the vehicle’s computer system.
Waymo Statement on Incident
A Waymo spokesperson told TechCrunch in a statement that the vehicle "encountered inconsistent construction signage" and "briefly entered an unoccupied oncoming lane of traffic." The spokesperson added that the vehicle occupied this lane for approximately 30 seconds before it was blocked from navigating back to the correct lane.
Incident Timeline
The entire event lasted approximately one minute, according to Waymo. There were no riders in the vehicle at the time of the incident.
Recalls and Regulatory Investigations
This is not the first time that Waymo has faced issues with its software. The Alphabet-owned robotaxi company has voluntarily recalled software twice this year after crashes. Additionally, the safety of its software is currently under investigation by federal regulators.
Background on Waymo’s Software Recalls
Waymo has been at the forefront of autonomous vehicle technology, but it has not been immune to issues with its software. In 2022, the company voluntarily recalled software that was used in some of its vehicles after crashes were reported. This year, the company has again recalled software due to similar incidents.
Federal Regulatory Investigations
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently investigating the safety of Waymo’s software. The agency has been looking into reports of crashes involving Waymo’s vehicles and whether the company’s software was a contributing factor in these incidents.
Waymo’s Response to Incident
Waymo has taken steps to address issues with its software, including recalling software twice this year. The company has also stated that it is committed to ensuring the safety of its riders and pedestrians on public roads.
Conclusion
The incident in Phoenix highlights the ongoing challenges faced by companies like Waymo as they continue to develop and deploy autonomous vehicle technology. While these vehicles have the potential to revolutionize transportation, they are not yet perfect and can still be involved in accidents.
Recommendations for Improving Autonomous Vehicle Safety
- Invest in Advanced Sensor Technology: Companies like Waymo should invest in advanced sensor technologies that can detect and respond to potential hazards on the road.
- Develop More Robust Software: Waymo’s software should be developed with more robust testing protocols to ensure that it can handle a wide range of scenarios.
- Increase Transparency: Companies like Waymo should increase transparency around their software development processes and release data on any incidents involving their vehicles.
Additional Resources
