Key Facts
- ✓ Power outage on December 21, 2025, affected 130,000 Pacific Gas & Electric customers in San Francisco.
- ✓ Waymo suspended ride-hailing services Saturday and resumed them Sunday.
- ✓ Social media videos showed stalled Waymo robotaxis blocking intersections and causing traffic disruptions.
- ✓ Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated his robotaxis were unaffected by the outage.
- ✓ Waymo uses lidar, radar, cameras, and detailed maps; Tesla relies on cameras and AI.
Quick Summary
A major power outage struck San Francisco on Saturday, December 21, 2025, affecting approximately 130,000 Pacific Gas & Electric customers and causing widespread gridlock with non-functioning traffic signals.
Waymo, Alphabet Inc.'s autonomous ride-hailing service, suspended its robotaxi operations in response, as the vehicles came to a halt, blocking roadways and intersections. Social media footage showed multiple Waymo vehicles stalled, forcing human drivers to navigate around them and exacerbating traffic disruptions.
The company resumed services on Sunday, December 22, 2025. A Waymo spokesperson acknowledged the utility infrastructure failure but emphasized commitment to adapting technology for such events.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk seized the moment to promote his company's robotaxis, claiming they were unaffected. The incident highlights differences in autonomous tech: Waymo relies on lidar sensors, radar, cameras, and detailed maps, which can be impacted by sudden environmental changes, while Tesla uses cameras and AI.
Waymo, which launched public services in Phoenix in 2018 and expanded to cities like Austin and Atlanta via Uber partnerships, has faced prior challenges, including a software recall for over 1,200 vehicles in May after collisions with chains or gates, and a recent fatal incident involving a bodega cat in San Francisco.
The Power Outage and Waymo's Immediate Response
On Saturday, December 21, 2025, a significant power outage impacted San Francisco, leaving darkened roads and inactive stoplights in its wake.
This event prompted Waymo to suspend its ride-hailing services across the affected areas to ensure safety amid the disruptions.
The outage affected roughly 130,000 customers of Pacific Gas & Electric, leading to broader transit issues throughout the city.
Service Suspension Details
Waymo's decision to halt operations was a direct response to the challenges posed by the blackout, which compromised navigation for its autonomous fleet.
By Sunday, December 22, 2025, the company had restored full ride-hailing capabilities in the region.
"Yesterday's power outage was a widespread event that caused gridlock across San Francisco, with non-functioning traffic signals and transit disruptions."
— Waymo Spokesperson
Traffic Disruptions Caused by Stalled Vehicles
Local drivers faced compounded difficulties during the outage, beyond just navigating unlit streets.
Social media videos captured Waymo robotaxis stalled in traffic, clogging key roadways and contributing to citywide gridlock.
One notable clip on X depicted at least five Waymo vehicles crowding an intersection, requiring human-operated cars to carefully maneuver around the motionless fleet.
- Vehicles halted abruptly due to the loss of power and related infrastructure failures.
- Blockages occurred at multiple intersections, intensifying the chaos from non-functioning signals.
- Footage from accounts like Breaking911 highlighted the scale of disruptions across San Francisco.
These incidents underscored the vulnerabilities of driverless technology in unexpected scenarios like widespread blackouts.
Company Statements and Competitive Landscape
A Waymo spokesperson addressed the situation, noting the outage's broad impact on the city's infrastructure.
The representative highlighted the company's dedication to refining its systems for resilience in adverse conditions.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, commented on X, drawing a contrast with his firm's offerings.
Technological Differences
Tesla and Waymo compete directly in the autonomous ride-hailing sector but employ distinct approaches.
- Tesla relies on cameras and artificial intelligence for navigation.
- Waymo integrates lidar sensors, radar, cameras, and frequently updated detailed maps.
- Sudden alterations in operational environments, such as during a power outage, can affect Waymo's mapping-dependent system more acutely.
This event provided a real-world illustration of how these technologies perform under stress.
Waymo's History and Ongoing Challenges
Waymo, owned by Alphabet Inc., first introduced its public autonomous ride-hailing in the Phoenix metro area in 2018.
Expansion followed to locations including Austin and Atlanta, facilitated through collaborations with Uber.
Despite progress, the company has encountered hurdles in deployment.
Past Incidents
- In May 2025, Waymo issued a software recall for more than 1,200 vehicles following collisions with chains or gates.
- More recently, a Waymo vehicle struck and killed a beloved bodega cat in San Francisco, prompting resident outrage.
These events reflect the complexities of scaling self-driving technology in urban settings.
In conclusion, the San Francisco blackout serves as a reminder of the need for robust adaptations in autonomous systems to handle unforeseen disruptions, as Waymo continues to navigate both literal and figurative roadblocks in its mission to revolutionize transportation.
"While the failure of the utility infrastructure was significant, we are committed to ensuring our technology adjusts to traffic flow during such events."
— Waymo Spokesperson
"Tesla Robotaxis were unaffected by the SF power outage."
— Elon Musk, Tesla CEO
