Waymo, the self-driving vehicle company owned by Alphabet, recently faced another incident that raised concerns about the safety of its software. According to dispatch records, a police officer in Phoenix pulled over a Waymo vehicle on June 19 after it ran a red light and entered a lane of oncoming traffic. The incident gained media attention when bodycam footage of the traffic stop was released by local media outlets, such as the Arizona Republic.
The footage shows the Waymo vehicle weaving through traffic before eventually pulling over into a parking lot. As the officer approached the car, he realized that it was empty. The dispatch records, written in all caps, described the vehicle as having “FREAKED OUT,” and stated that the officer was unable to issue a citation to the computer-operated vehicle.
A spokesperson for Waymo later explained that the vehicle had encountered inconsistent construction signage, which led it to briefly enter an unoccupied oncoming lane of traffic. The vehicle remained in that lane for about 30 seconds until it was blocked from returning to the correct lane. The spokesperson emphasized that there were no riders in the vehicle during this incident, which lasted approximately one minute.
This incident adds to a series of challenges that Waymo has faced with its self-driving technology. The company has voluntarily recalled its software twice this year following crashes. Moreover, federal regulators are currently investigating the safety of Waymo’s software.
While self-driving technology has the potential to revolutionize transportation and improve road safety, incidents like these highlight the importance of thorough testing and continuous improvement. Waymo and other companies in the autonomous vehicle industry must ensure that their software is reliable and capable of handling unexpected situations effectively.
In response to these challenges, companies like Waymo have been investing heavily in research and development to enhance their self-driving technology. They are working on improving the ability of their vehicles to interpret and respond to complex traffic situations, including construction zones and changing road conditions.
The incident with the Waymo vehicle in Phoenix serves as a reminder that self-driving technology is still in its early stages and has a long way to go before it can be fully trusted on public roads. However, with ongoing advancements and rigorous testing, companies like Waymo are striving to make autonomous vehicles a safe and reliable mode of transportation in the future.