Waymo’s Robotaxis Get a WAKE-UP CALL: 1,200 Self-Driving Cars Recalled After Bumping Into Gates Like Drunk Drivers
When AI Meets Reality: The Gates That Fooled Waymo’s Million-Dollar Tech
Waymo just got SCHOOLED by the most basic roadside objects imaginable – gates and chains. The Alphabet-owned company was forced to recall software for 1,200 robotaxis after their supposedly genius AI kept bumping into stationary objects like a teenager learning to parallel park.
“This wasn’t just a bug – it was a SYSTEMIC FAILURE in how our vehicles perceived certain gate-like structures”
Waymo’s NHTSA filing (translated from corporate speak)
The Hard Truth Behind the Recall
Here’s what went down in Waymo’s robotaxi rodeo:
- 7 confirmed collisions with gates/chains between 2022-2024 (NHTSA data)
- 9 additional incidents discovered during investigation (February-December 2024)
- 1,200 vehicles affected – nearly their entire fleet at the time
- 0 injuries – proving the crashes were more embarrassing than dangerous
Waymo’s Damage Control Playbook
When the NHTSA came knocking, Waymo didn’t just fix the problem – they executed a textbook corporate tango:
- Rolled out stealth software updates before the official recall
- Framed it as “fulfilling regulatory obligations” (translation: we got caught)
- Highlighted how updates “significantly decreased” future incidents (from “often” to “rarely”)
“Autonomous vehicles don’t have to be perfect – just better than human drivers. But they definitely shouldn’t hit stationary objects.”
Every Transportation Safety Expert Ever
This Isn’t Waymo’s First Rodeo
Robotaxi recalls are becoming Waymo’s version of iPhone updates:
- June 2024: Recalled Jaguar I-Pace fleet after a telephone pole attack
- February 2024: Two robotaxis crashed into the same towed pickup truck (how?!)
The Bottom Line
While Waymo’s growing pains continue, here’s what matters: their fleet has expanded to 1,500 vehicles across four major cities, and they’re fixing mistakes faster than most human drivers learn from theirs. The future of autonomous vehicles isn’t about perfection – it’s about rapid improvement. And right now, Waymo’s getting a masterclass in both.
