NTSB Investigates Waymo's Autonomous Vehicles Passing Stopped School Buses in Austin, Texas
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated an investigation into Waymo following reports of its autonomous vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses in Austin, Texas. The NTSB is focusing on over 20 incidents where Waymo's robotaxis failed to stop for loading or unloading students. Investigators will gather information on these incidents, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days and a detailed final report in 12 to 24 months.
This investigation marks the first time Waymo has been scrutinized by the NTSB, with a previous probe launched by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in October. Despite issuing a software recall in December to address the issue, Waymo's previous software updates have not completely resolved the problem. The school district in Austin has requested Waymo to suspend operations during school bus pickup and drop-off times due to the repeated incidents captured on camera.
Waymo, currently expanding its operations across the United States, has defended its safety record, stating that the Waymo Driver is continuously improving and that there have been no collisions in the reported events. The company sees the NTSB investigation as an opportunity to showcase its safety-first approach and provide transparent insights into its operations.
Unlike the NHTSA, the NTSB does not have the authority to issue fines or penalties but conducts in-depth investigations to identify root causes of transportation issues. Waymo faced criticism after a notable incident in Atlanta last September when one of its vehicles passed a stopped school bus. Despite addressing this specific scenario with a software update, Waymo's vehicles were later caught making illegal maneuvers around school buses in Austin, Texas, as captured in videos from cameras mounted on school buses.
In conclusion, the NTSB's investigation into Waymo's robotaxis passing stopped school buses highlights the importance of safety in autonomous vehicle operations. Waymo's response to the incidents and its commitment to improving its technology will be closely monitored as the investigation progresses.