by Waymo recalls vehicles due to collision issues
Waymo, a company specializing in autonomous vehicles, announced the recall of 1,212 vehicles due to a potential risk of collisions with fences, gates, and other obstacles. The company stated that there are currently no reports of injuries related to this issue. Moreover, Waymo has already fixed the flaw in the software before the official recall announcement.
A notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that the issue concerns fifth-generation software used before the update dated November 7, 2024. Vehicles with this software could incorrectly respond to chains, gates, and similar obstacles. However, since Waymo owns all these vehicles, the company was able to fix the problem without needing to notify owners.
Waymo’s internal safety processes had previously identified collisions with chains strung across the path of travel, gates, and similar roadway barriers as an area for improvement, and software updates were in progress at the time NHTSA’s examination began.
This is not the first time Waymo’s autonomous vehicles have come under regulatory scrutiny. Earlier, NHTSA investigated incidents related to the same software. The company explained that the recall was initiated on May 1, 2025, to comply with regulatory requirements, even though the fix had already been implemented.
Autonomous vehicles continue to improve, but such incidents highlight how crucial safety mechanisms remain. Waymo demonstrates an unusual approach to problem-solving, as it can update software remotely without involving owners. This allows for quicker responses to potential threats, though formal procedures like recalls are still necessary.
