Feds ask Waymo about robotaxis repeatedly passing school buses in Austin

Core Points - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has requested additional information from Waymo regarding its self-driving system after reports of illegal maneuvers around school buses [1][2] - Waymo's robotaxis have been reported to illegally pass school buses 19 times since the start of the 2025-26 school year, raising safety concerns [5][10] - Waymo claims that its software updates have improved safety, reporting a fivefold reduction in injury-related crashes compared to human drivers [6][8] Regulatory Actions - NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened an investigation into Waymo in October after observing footage of a robotaxi maneuvering around a stopped school bus [3] - A letter from NHTSA to Waymo requested detailed information about its fifth-generation self-driving system and operations [2] - The Austin School District has requested that Waymo cease operations during peak school hours until further software updates are completed [9][10] Company Response - Waymo stated that the bus was partially blocking the driveway, which affected the robotaxi's visibility of the stop sign and flashing lights [4] - The company has issued software updates aimed at improving performance and has committed to continuous improvement [8] - Waymo maintains that its robotaxis are safer than human drivers, citing data on reduced injury crashes [6][8]