Waymo rolls out software update after blackout stranded robotaxis across San Francisco

Core Insights - Waymo is implementing a fleet-wide software update to address issues exposed by a significant power outage in San Francisco, which halted its robotaxi service as vehicles stalled at dark intersections [1][9][11] Group 1: Incident Overview - A power outage affected nearly 30% of San Francisco, disabling traffic signals and causing gridlock, which highlighted limitations in Waymo's autonomous system [3][6][18] - The outage was triggered by a fire at a PG&E substation, leading to widespread traffic disruptions during a busy shopping weekend [4][5] - Waymo proactively paused operations as the outage intensified, with many vehicles immobilized at intersections, contributing to congestion [5][10] Group 2: Response and Updates - The software update aims to enhance the self-driving software's ability to recognize and respond to large-scale power outages, allowing vehicles to navigate dark intersections more effectively [2][20] - Waymo resumed its ride-hailing service on Sunday evening after power was restored, although some customers remained without electricity [9][19] - The company is reviewing lessons learned from the outage to improve its technology and maintain community trust [20] Group 3: Operational Context - Waymo operates a fleet of over 1,500 vehicles in major cities, including Phoenix and Los Angeles, and has logged over 100 million autonomous miles [14][15] - Despite lower crash rates compared to human drivers, Waymo faces scrutiny regarding its handling of edge cases, such as power outages [15][18] - The incident has intensified concerns among residents and lawmakers about the reliability of autonomous vehicles in rare but predictable scenarios [18]