Waymo to issue software recall over how robotaxis behave around school buses

Core Viewpoint - Waymo plans to voluntarily issue a software recall to address concerns regarding its robotaxis' operation around school buses, following scrutiny from federal regulators and local officials [1][6]. Group 1: Incident Overview - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated an investigation into Waymo after observing footage of its robotaxi maneuvering around a stopped school bus with its stop sign extended and lights flashing in Atlanta [2]. - Reports from the Austin School District indicated that Waymo's robotaxis illegally passed school buses 19 times in the current year, prompting further inquiries from regulators [4]. Group 2: Company Response - Waymo updated its software on November 17, claiming that the update significantly improved performance in scenarios involving school buses, asserting that it now performs better than human drivers [3][6]. - The company emphasizes its commitment to safety, stating that no injuries have occurred related to the behavior addressed by this recall, and it will continue to analyze and improve vehicle performance [6][7]. Group 3: Industry Context - Software recalls are increasingly common in modern vehicles, including robotaxis, where operations are primarily managed by software. These updates often occur before an official recall is filed with the federal government [8].