Alphabet's Waymo has suspended its robotaxi service on freeways in the United States and paused operations in Atlanta, Georgia, and San Antonio. The company is updating its software to improve performance around construction zones and to prevent vehicles from driving into flooded roadways.
The temporary shutdowns follow reports of robotaxis driving into flooded streets. In Atlanta, videos emerged on Wednesday showing two Waymo cars stopped on swamped roads, leading to the service suspension in both Atlanta and San Antonio.
A Waymo spokesperson stated that the temporary pause was expanded out of an abundance of caution. This development is the latest setback for the company, which recently recalled thousands of vehicles over concerns that its robotaxis may attempt to drive on flooded roads.