Waymo rushes software fix after its robotaxis get stranded in San Francisco blackout

News, 29 December 2025

Alphabet-owned autonomous vehicle company Waymo has rushed out a critical software update after a major power outage in San Francisco left several of its driverless taxis stranded at dark intersections, raising fresh concerns about the reliability of autonomous systems during citywide disruptions.

The incident occurred on December 20, when a PG&E substation fire triggered a massive blackout that knocked out power to nearly one-third of San Francisco, including thousands of traffic lights. Without functioning signals, Waymo’s robotaxis treated intersections as four-way stops, but an unexpected surge of remote safety checks overwhelmed the company’s support network. The result — several vehicles froze mid-route, blocking intersections and adding to traffic congestion during peak evening hours.

City officials were forced to intervene, with police and emergency crews stepping in to direct traffic. Videos shared on social media showed clusters of Waymo vehicles stopped with hazard lights flashing, sparking criticism over how autonomous fleets manage sudden infrastructure failures. Waymo temporarily paused operations and worked with local authorities to safely move vehicles off the roads.

In a statement, Waymo confirmed that it has since developed and deployed a software fix to improve its vehicles’ behavior during large-scale outages. The update allows robotaxis to make more independent, context-aware decisions when signals are down, reducing the burden on remote assistance systems.

The company also said it is enhancing its emergency coordination protocols and working closely with city agencies to ensure smoother traffic management during future crises.

While the blackout exposed vulnerabilities in Waymo’s system, the company maintains that such incidents are rare and part of the broader process of refining autonomous driving technology for safety, scalability, and resilience.

Compiled using AI