Waymo robotaxis experienced a halt and caught fire on July 4.

      Waymo’s robotaxis faced significant issues over the Fourth of July weekend. In San Francisco, several vehicles ran out of power, causing traffic jams for hours, and one even drove over a lit firework and ignited.

      During the holiday, the focus shifted to the driverless Waymo cars rather than the technology itself. Following the fireworks at the Golden Gate Bridge, numerous vehicles stalled in traffic. Many ran out of charge, requiring towing crews to assist, according to NBC Bay Area. One resident reported being stuck in traffic for two hours, while others exited their cars to shout at the unmanned vehicles.

      “Are we on fire, dude?” was a question posed by a passenger in a video captured by Rose Peterson, who filmed her Waymo rolling over a firework at a four-way stop. The clip was later shared by Mashable. Waymo stated to the outlet that there were no injuries or damages and that they had since reached out to the rider.

      San Francisco fire crews received over 500 calls that night. The situation extended beyond California, with drivers in Atlanta recording themselves stuck behind three Waymos that had halted at an intersection, adding to a series of viral videos from the area.

      Waymo explained the situation by citing the large crowds. A spokesperson told Business Insider that severe traffic congestion, an influx of travelers, and unexpected road closures near the fireworks disrupted their operations. Some vehicles resumed movement once traffic eased, while others drained their batteries while idling and required towing. The company asserted that no one was injured and that its vehicles remained fully autonomous throughout.

      This situation raises concerns. Critics highlight that the recurring issues signal a major problem, with safety advocates, including lawyers involved in crash lawsuits, asserting that stalled fleets and vehicles colliding with hazards would ultimately ground a bus service. They are urging the NHTSA and local regulators to impose stringent benchmarks before fleet expansions. In response, Waymo claims to lead in driverless mileage and maintains that its safety record per mile is still superior to that of human drivers.

      The timing of these events is particularly disadvantageous as Waymo is looking to expand into more cities, especially as competitors like Zoox make progress and other robotaxis operate without human safety supervisors. A breakdown of this magnitude during a holiday period is not the ideal publicity for a rapidly growing robotaxi company. As Peterson noted, the vehicle should be “more sensitive to anything that can come into its path.”