Waymo announces voluntary software recall after Phoenix incident

Waymo, a leading autonomous vehicle company, has recently announced a voluntary software recall following an incident in Phoenix, Arizona. The incident involved one of Waymo's driverless vehicles colliding with a telephone pole. Fortunately, no passengers or bystanders were injured in the accident.

The software recall was prompted by an issue that incorrectly assessed the damage to the pole. Waymo has updated the software on 672 of its autonomous vehicles to address this issue. Additionally, the company has made improvements to its mapping system to include the road edge in alleyways, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future.

This is the second recall for Waymo, with a previous one involving 444 vehicles due to minor collisions. The recent incident occurred on May 21st when an empty Waymo vehicle collided with a telephone pole while navigating through an alley. Despite the poles being clearly marked, the vehicle collided with one at a speed of 8mph, causing some damage.

Waymo has promptly reported the incident to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and is actively cooperating with regulatory authorities. This recall comes at a time of increased scrutiny of the autonomous vehicle industry by federal investigators, who are closely examining the operations of major companies in the US.

Waymo's proactive approach to addressing safety concerns through voluntary recalls demonstrates its commitment to ensuring the reliability and safety of autonomous vehicles. By taking swift action and implementing necessary software updates, Waymo aims to enhance the overall safety of its driverless vehicles and prevent similar incidents in the future. As the autonomous vehicle industry continues to evolve, it is crucial for companies like Waymo to prioritize safety and transparency in their operations.