California Regulator Reviews Waymo Stalls in SF Outage

The California Public Utilities Commission is investigating an incident where Waymo robotaxis stalled during a widespread power outage in San Francisco on Saturday. Social media videos showed multiple vehicles clustered at intersections, clogging traffic and contributing to gridlock amid non-functioning traffic signals.

The outage affected approximately 130,000 Pacific Gas & Electric customers, leading Waymo to temporarily halt its ride-hailing services. A Waymo spokesperson described the event as a significant utility failure but affirmed the company's commitment to adapting its technology for such disruptions. Services resumed on Sunday.

Elon Musk commented on the incident via X, noting that Tesla Robotaxis remained operational. This event occurs against Waymo's expansion background, including operations in San Francisco since 2022, though past issues like software recalls and an animal incident have marked its rollout.

The regulatory review focuses on the specifics of the stalling without further details released yet.

On Saturday, a power outage struck San Francisco, impacting key infrastructure and leading to widespread disruptions. The event affected about 130,000 customers of Pacific Gas & Electric, resulting in non-functioning traffic signals and transit issues across the city.

During this outage, several Waymo robotaxis came to a halt in intersections and along busy roads. Footage shared on social media captured at least five vehicles clustered at a junction, effectively blocking traffic flow and exacerbating the gridlock.

Waymo paused its ride-hailing services in response to the situation. By Sunday, the company announced the resumption of operations in the affected area.

A spokesperson from Waymo explained the context of the disruption, stating, "Yesterday's power outage was a widespread event that caused gridlock across San Francisco, with non-functioning traffic signals and transit disruptions." The spokesperson added, "While the failure of the utility infrastructure was significant, we are committed to ensuring our technology adjusts to traffic flow during such events."

The California Public Utilities Commission has taken notice of the incident involving the stalled Waymo vehicles. On Monday, the commission confirmed its awareness and ongoing examination.

The agency stated it was "aware of the incident and are looking into specifics," though no additional details were provided at the time. This review aims to understand the circumstances that led to the robotaxis stopping during the power outage.

Waymo has not yet issued a formal response to the commission's statement. The investigation highlights the regulatory oversight applied to autonomous vehicle operations in California, particularly in urban environments prone to infrastructure challenges.

Implications for Autonomous Vehicle Safety

Such reviews are part of broader efforts to ensure the reliability of driverless technology in real-world scenarios. Past incidents have prompted similar scrutiny, underscoring the need for robust systems that can handle unexpected events like power failures.

Waymo, owned by Alphabet, pioneered its autonomous ride-hailing service in Phoenix back in 2018. The company has since expanded to additional markets, including partnerships with Uber in cities like Austin and Atlanta.

In San Francisco, Waymo began operating driverless vehicles in 2022. Last year, it made rides available to the public through its app, marking a significant step in commercial deployment.

The expansion has encountered challenges. In May, Waymo initiated a software recall impacting over 1,200 vehicles after some encountered barriers such as chains or gates.

More recently, last month, a Waymo vehicle struck and killed a cat in a San Francisco bodega, which led to resident backlash. These events illustrate the hurdles in scaling autonomous services amid complex urban dynamics.

• Launch in Phoenix: 2018
• San Francisco operations: Since 2022
• Public app access: Last year
• Software recall: May, affecting 1,200+ vehicles
• Recent animal incident: Prompted community concerns

The Waymo stalling incident attracted attention from key figures in the autonomous vehicle sector. Elon Musk, associated with Tesla, commented on X, stating, "Tesla Robotaxis were unaffected by the SF power outage." This remark positioned Tesla's technology as resilient in comparison.

Such commentary underscores the competitive landscape among companies developing self-driving solutions. Waymo's challenges during the outage provide a point of discussion on infrastructure dependencies for robotaxis.

The event in San Francisco reflects ongoing debates about the integration of autonomous vehicles into city environments. Regulatory bodies like the California Public Utilities Commission play a crucial role in balancing innovation with public safety.

Conclusion: Navigating Future Challenges

As investigations proceed, the incident serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities in emerging technologies. Waymo's commitment to improvements, alongside regulatory oversight, will shape the path forward for driverless mobility in California and beyond. Continued adaptations to events like power outages will be essential for gaining public trust and ensuring seamless operations.