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Federal safety regulators have discovered nine more incidents that raise questions about the safety of Waymo\u2019s self-driving vehicles operating in Phoenix and San Francisco.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation<\/a> earlier this month into Waymo\u2019s autonomous vehicle software after receiving 22 reports of robotaxis making unexpected moves that led to crashes and potentially violated traffic safety laws. The investigation, which has been designated a \u201cpreliminary evaluation,\u201d is examining the software and its ability to avoid collisions with stationary objects and how well it detects and responds to \u201ctraffic safety control devices\u201d like cones.<\/p>\n The agency said Friday it has added another nine incidents<\/a> since the investigation was opened.\u00a0Waymo could not be reached for comment; TechCrunch will update the article if the Alphabet-owned company responds. <\/p>\n Waymo reported some of these incidents. The others were discovered by regulators via public postings on social media and forums like Reddit, YouTube and X. The additional nine incidents include reports of Waymo robotaxis colliding with gates, utility poles, and parked vehicles, driving in the wrong lane with nearby oncoming traffic and into construction zones.\u00a0<\/p>\n The ODI said it\u2019s concerned the robotaxis \u201cexhibiting such unexpected driving behaviors may increase the risk of crash, property damage, and injury.\u201d The agency said that while it\u2019s not aware of any injuries from these incidents, several involved collisions with visible objects that \u201ca competent driver would be expected to avoid.\u201d The agency also expressed concern that some of these occurred near pedestrians.\u00a0<\/p>\n NHTSA has given Waymo until June 11 to respond to a series of questions regarding the investigation.<\/p>\n NHTSA has stepped up its inquiries into automated driving technology. Earlier this month, the agency\u00a0opened <\/a>an investigation into autonomous vehicles operated by Amazon-backed Zoox. The investigation was triggered after receiving two reports of the company\u2019s autonomous-equipped Toyota Highlanders being rear-ended by motorcycles after the SUVs unexpectedly triggered the brakes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n