Waymo Halts Robotaxi Service in San Francisco Amid Major Blackout
Waymo suspended its robotaxi service in San Francisco on Saturday evening after a massive blackout left many of its vehicles stalled on city streets.
Impact of the Blackout
Numerous photos and videos circulating on social media depicted Waymo robotaxis stalled at intersections, as human drivers maneuvered around them or faced gridlock. The tumultuous scene reflected the challenges faced by automated systems when infrastructure fails.
Waymo’s Response
In light of the blackout, Waymo decided to temporarily halt its services. Late Sunday afternoon, a Waymo spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch that the company was resuming operation. “Yesterday’s power outage was a widespread event that caused gridlock across San Francisco, with non-functioning traffic signals and transit disruptions,” the spokesperson stated.
Despite the significant utility infrastructure failure, Waymo expressed its commitment to refining its technology to better adapt during unforeseen events. “We are focused on rapidly integrating the lessons learned from this event, and are committed to earning and maintaining the trust of the communities we serve every day,” they added.
Wider City Disruptions
The blackout not only impacted Waymo’s operations but also led to the failure of numerous traffic lights and disrupted the Muni mass transit system. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie advised residents to refrain from unnecessary travel until the situation was manageable.
Challenges for Autonomous Vehicles
Although Waymo’s self-driving technology is designed to treat non-functioning traffic signals as four-way stops, the scale of this particular blackout caused some of its robotaxis to remain stationary longer than usual while assessing intersection safety. Nevertheless, the company noted that the majority of active trips during this incident were completed successfully.
Causes of the Blackout
Reports indicate that the blackout was triggered by a fire at a Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) substation. SFGate noted that around 120,000 customers in San Francisco were affected. While most had their power restored by late Saturday, approximately 35,000 residents remained without electricity as of Sunday morning.
Waymo’s Growing Services
Amid these challenges, Waymo is experiencing growth in its ride-sharing capacity. A leaked letter from Tiger Global Management earlier this month revealed that the company is currently providing about 450,000 robotaxi rides per week, nearly double the figure reported just this past spring.
This article has been updated to reflect Waymo’s statement regarding the resumption of service.
Image Credit: techcrunch.com
