Waymo's robotaxis are under fire again, this time from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) over allegations of recklessly passing school buses in Austin, Texas. The federal agency has launched a formal investigation into the company, prompting concerns about the safety and oversight of its autonomous vehicles.
According to sources, the NTSB's probe will examine how Waymo's robotaxis interact with stopped school buses, particularly when it comes to loading and unloading students. The investigation is sparked by preliminary findings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which led to a voluntary software recall for Waymo in December.
However, the school district has stated that despite the update, the robotaxis continued to fail to stop for loaded buses, raising questions about the effectiveness of the revised system. The NTSB will send investigators to Austin to gather information on the incidents, with a preliminary report due within 30 days and a final report potentially taking up to two years.
Waymo has maintained its confidence in the safety performance of its robotaxis around school buses, citing that there have been no collisions during the events in question. However, the company's chief safety officer, Mauricio Peña, acknowledged that the investigation will provide an opportunity for Waymo to share its "safety-first approach" with the NTSB.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about autonomous vehicle safety and the need for robust oversight and regulation. As the use of self-driving cars becomes increasingly widespread, it is essential to ensure that these technologies are designed and implemented with the utmost attention to safety, particularly when interacting with vulnerable road users such as children on school buses.
According to sources, the NTSB's probe will examine how Waymo's robotaxis interact with stopped school buses, particularly when it comes to loading and unloading students. The investigation is sparked by preliminary findings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which led to a voluntary software recall for Waymo in December.
However, the school district has stated that despite the update, the robotaxis continued to fail to stop for loaded buses, raising questions about the effectiveness of the revised system. The NTSB will send investigators to Austin to gather information on the incidents, with a preliminary report due within 30 days and a final report potentially taking up to two years.
Waymo has maintained its confidence in the safety performance of its robotaxis around school buses, citing that there have been no collisions during the events in question. However, the company's chief safety officer, Mauricio Peña, acknowledged that the investigation will provide an opportunity for Waymo to share its "safety-first approach" with the NTSB.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about autonomous vehicle safety and the need for robust oversight and regulation. As the use of self-driving cars becomes increasingly widespread, it is essential to ensure that these technologies are designed and implemented with the utmost attention to safety, particularly when interacting with vulnerable road users such as children on school buses.
. I mean, can you imagine if this technology wasn't regulated properly? It's just not right that these autonomous vehicles are putting kids' lives at risk in the first place 
. The fact that there have been no collisions during the events is a good thing, but it doesn't change the fact that they did fail to stop for loaded buses 
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. Now we're stuck with a system that still hasn't been perfected, and it's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt 
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. We need more oversight in these types of situations, not less 
. It's just common sense that we should prioritize people's lives over tech advancements 
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... like, I get that we're all excited about autonomous vehicles and all, but can't they just take their time to figure out how to deal with stuff like this? 
Schools are so important for our little ones, and if Waymo's robotaxis can't even be trusted to stop in front of them... it's a big deal. I'm all for innovation and progress, but safety should always come first! 
Waymo's robotaxis getting roasted again 
. Like, what if some kid is standing out there waiting for the bus and it swipes him down? 
. Otherwise, we're just gonna keep having these kinda incidents 
I'm all for innovation, but can't they just get it right? 
they're already having issues in other places and now this new thing with school buses? it's just not right... I remember watching those old TV shows where the robots would crash all the time 
