NTSB Probes Waymo Robotaxis Illegally Passing School Buses
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into Waymo’s robotaxis in Austin, Texas. This inquiry focuses on reports of these autonomous vehicles improperly passing school buses while they were stopped for loading and unloading students.
NTSB Investigation into Waymo Robotaxis
According to the NTSB, the aim is to examine how Waymo’s vehicles interact with school buses when they are stopped for children. The federal probe follows a preliminary assessment by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which evaluated Waymo’s response to stationary school buses in Austin.
- The investigation was triggered by concerns raised during the NHTSA evaluation.
- Waymo issued a voluntary software recall in December to address these concerns.
- Despite the update, the local school district reported continued incidents of robotaxis failing to stop.
Details of the Investigation
NTSB investigators plan to travel to Austin to collect information regarding multiple incidents. The focus will be on situations where automated vehicles did not stop for school buses while children were boarding or alighting.
A spokesperson for the NTSB indicated that a preliminary report will be available within 30 days. However, the final report is expected to take between 12 and 24 months to complete.
Waymo’s Response
In response to the investigation, Mauricio Peña, Waymo’s chief safety officer, emphasized that there have been no collisions involving their robotaxis in these incidents. He stated that Waymo’s safety performance surpasses that of human drivers. Peña views the investigation as an opportunity to provide insights into the company’s safety-first approach.
This NTSB investigation into Waymo’s robotaxis significantly raises questions about the safety and operational reliability of autonomous vehicles regarding school safety. As the situation develops, stakeholders await further updates from both the NTSB and Waymo.
