Self-driving car firm Waymo has been forced to recall nearly 4,000 robotaxis due to a software glitch that could cause vehicles to drive into construction sites.
The recall comes just a month after Waymo, which is owned by Google’s parent company Alphabet, was forced to pause operations in four US cities due to the driverless electric taxis struggling with heavy rain and large puddles.
The latest issue will impact 3,871 Waymo robotaxis, which will each need to have their software updated in order to continue operating on freeways.
A report filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this week noted 13 instances in which Waymos had driven into construction areas on freeways in Phoenix, Arizona, and San Francisco, California.
“The software may allow the vehicle to enter a closed freeway construction zone and continue driving at speed,” the NHTSA recall notice states.
“Waymo will update the ADS software to detect when the vehicle is in and to avoid entering construction zones, free of charge.”
In a statement, Waymo said that it had “voluntarily restricted freeway operations” last month following the incidents.
“We identified an area of improvement regarding performance around freeway construction zones,” the statement read.
It is the sixth recall for Waymo’s robotaxis, with previous issues including dangerous driving around school buses and low-speed collisions with poles.
Last year, Waymo became the first autonomous taxi service in the US to carry passengers without a driver on freeways.
Later this year, the company will become the first robotaxi fleet to operate in the UK, when it expands to London in September.
“Boosting the [autonomous vehicle] sector will increase accessible transport options alongside bringing jobs, investment, and opportunities to the UK,” Heidi Alexander, secretary of state for transport, said when the roll out was announced.
“Cutting-edge investment like this will help us deliver our mission to be world leaders in new technology and spearhead national renewal that delivers real change in our communities.”
