Waymo pauses robotaxis in SF again due to flash flood warnings on Christmas Day

Core Viewpoint - Waymo has temporarily paused its robotaxi service in the San Francisco Bay Area due to severe weather conditions, specifically a flash flood warning issued by the National Weather Service [1][2]. Group 1: Service Operations - Waymo's robotaxi service was halted during a blackout in San Francisco earlier in the week, which affected tens of thousands of residents and caused traffic disruptions [2]. - The company operates a commercial, driverless service in five U.S. markets, having expanded from three markets at the end of 2024 [4]. - Waymo plans to significantly expand its service area across and beyond the U.S. in 2026 [4]. Group 2: Regulatory and Safety Concerns - There is increased public scrutiny and safety concerns regarding Waymo's robotaxi service as it seeks to expand [4]. - The California Public Utilities Commission, which regulates driverless ride-hailing services, did not respond to inquiries about the service pause during the holiday [3].