Waymo's robotaxis continue to encounter new obstacles, with construction zones being the most recent.
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Thirteen incidents related to construction zones, one fleet recall, and a passenger who felt the situation was dire.
Waymo has recalled its entire fleet of nearly 4,000 robotaxis to prevent them from operating on highways after discovering at least 13 cases where its vehicles entered highway sections that were closed for construction.
This marks the company's sixth recall in less than a year and follows other incidents involving flooded roads, telephone poles, chains, gates, towed trucks, and school buses.
So what actually transpired on the highways?
The incidents occurred in two phases. Six robotaxis drove past ramp-closure signs and entered active construction zones in Phoenix, Arizona, in April 2026. The software failed to detect the closure signs completely.
In May, seven additional robotaxis did the same in the San Francisco Bay Area. This time, the software focused on avoiding other hazards on the highway and overlooked the construction zone (according to TechCrunch).
A passenger's experience from May 19, reported to CBS News, illustrates the feeling inside the vehicle during these events. The rider said their robotaxi “blasted through cones,” was even pursued by police, and accelerated when it saw flashing lights.
In response, Waymo offered the passenger three complimentary rides, each valued at up to $40. The company had already ceased all highway operations on May 19, the day following the San Francisco incidents, and is currently working on a solution, as stated in NHTSA filings. However, its robotaxis are still operational on surface streets.
Should you be concerned about riding in a Waymo vehicle?
Waymo asserts that its vehicles have driven autonomously for over 170 million miles. The company also claims a 13-fold decrease in serious injury crashes compared to human drivers.
The recalls are voluntary, meaning the company is identifying, flagging, and addressing its own issues rather than waiting for regulations to be enforced.
Nevertheless, both the NHTSA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating Waymo's actions regarding school buses following a January incident.
A sixth recall while that investigation is ongoing is not ideal for a company planning to expand into more than 20 cities this year.
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Waymo's robotaxis continue to encounter new obstacles, with construction zones being the most recent.
Waymo's robotaxis navigated highway construction zones 13 times before the company decided to withdraw the entire fleet from highway operations.