Waymo to update software across fleet after major power failure

"Alphabet Inc.'s Waymo said it would strengthen its automated software to better handle power outages after its self-driving taxis froze and caused traffic jams during a major electricity failure last weekend in San Francisco. The Waymo Driver system is programmed to handle dark traffic signals in the same manner as four-way stops, but a car will occasionally request a confirmation check to ensure it makes the safest choice, the company said Tuesday in a statement."

"While the vehicles successfully handled 7,000 traffic signals that were knocked out by San Francisco's power failure on Dec. 20, the outage created a concentrated spike in these requests, the company said. The spike delayed Waymo's response time to its stalled vehicles. When city officials urged motorists to stay off the streets, Waymo said it suspended service."

"Social media videos showed multiple Waymo vehicles stopped in the middle of streets with their hazard lights flashing, creating massive backups. The company said it was taking steps to integrate more information in its software about the context of regional power outages, letting the vehicles navigate these intersections more decisively. Waymo also is working with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie on emergency response protocols and updating its first responder training."

Waymo will strengthen its automated software to better handle power outages after self-driving taxis froze and caused traffic jams during San Francisco's Dec. 20 electrical failure. The Waymo Driver treats dark traffic signals as four-way stops but vehicles sometimes request confirmation checks to ensure safe choices. Roughly 7,000 traffic signals lost power, triggering a concentrated spike in confirmation requests that delayed responses to stalled vehicles. Waymo suspended service when city officials urged motorists off the streets. The outage began after a fire at a PG&E substation and affected about 130,000 customers. Waymo will integrate regional outage context into its software, update first responder training, and coordinate emergency-response protocols with city leadership.

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