Waymo explains why its robotaxis got stuck during the SF blackout

Core Insights - Waymo is releasing a software update to enhance its robotaxis' ability to navigate through disabled traffic lights during power outages, addressing issues experienced during a recent blackout in San Francisco [1][4]. Group 1: Software Update and Improvements - The new software update will allow Waymo's self-driving system to treat non-functional traffic lights as four-way stops, similar to human drivers, which is expected to improve navigation during outages [2]. - The update will provide the self-driving software with specific context regarding power outages, enabling more decisive navigation [4][5]. - Waymo is refining its confirmation request system, which was initially designed for caution during early deployment, to better suit the current scale of operations [4]. Group 2: Performance During Outage - During the recent power outage, Waymo's robotaxis successfully navigated over 7,000 instances of dark signals, despite some vehicles getting stuck and requesting confirmation checks from the fleet response team [5]. - The company noted a "concentrated spike" in confirmation requests during the outage, which contributed to traffic congestion [3]. Group 3: Ongoing Challenges and Adjustments - The incident highlights ongoing challenges faced by Waymo in developing reliable autonomous vehicle technology, as the company has previously had to implement multiple software updates to address various issues, including those related to school bus stops [8].