Waymo is addressing the challenges faced by its robotaxis during a recent power outage in San Francisco by releasing a software update to improve navigation through disabled traffic lights. The self-driving vehicles initially treated dead stop lights as four-way stops, but many required confirmation checks from Waymo's fleet response team, causing congestion. The new software update will provide the robotaxis with more context about power outages, enabling them to navigate more decisively without needing as many confirmation checks. This incident highlights the ongoing development and refinement needed for autonomous vehicle technology to handle unexpected situations effectively. Why this matters: Improving the reliability of autonomous vehicles in real-world scenarios is crucial for their safe integration into urban environments.
