NTSB Investigates Waymo Robotaxis for Traffic Violations
In a shocking turn of events, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into Waymo's robotaxis after a series of incidents involving school buses in Austin, Texas. The probe comes as a result of multiple reports of Waymo vehicles failing to properly yield for buses with flashing lights and stop signs activated.NTSB Investigation Underway
The NTSB investigation is expected to take 12-14 months to complete, but a preliminary report will be released within the next 30 days. The agency has stated that school bus safety and the safe operation of automated vehicles have been a focus of previous investigations.
Waymo's Response
In response to the allegations, Waymo's chief safety officer, Mauricio Peña, claimed that their vehicles safely navigate thousands of school bus encounters weekly across the United States. He also stated that there have been no collisions in the events in question and that they are confident in their safety performance around school buses.
Previous Incidents
Waymo has received at least two dozen violations in Austin so far, with some incidents occurring after a software update was launched in November to address the issue. Despite this, Waymo has continued to receive at least four violations since then.
School District's Concerns
The Austin Independent School District had previously asked Waymo to halt operations when its school buses are operating, but the company refused. A spokesperson for the district stated that they have seen material improvement in their performance since the software update.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Investigation
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has also expanded its investigation into Waymo in response to the Austin school bus incidents. The agency stated that it is working closely with the NTSB on this matter.
As the investigation unfolds, one thing is clear: the safety of our roads and the operation of automated vehicles are under scrutiny. With multiple agencies involved and a complex web of regulations at play, it remains to be seen what the outcome will be. One thing is certain, however – the public's trust in these technologies must be earned, not assumed.
