Overview
- Waymo says it will file a voluntary, software-only recall early next week to address failures to appropriately slow and stop for school buses.
- NHTSA has launched a preliminary evaluation and sent detailed questions due by Jan. 20, citing safety risks when automated vehicles do not follow school-bus laws.
- Austin ISD documented at least 19–20 violations this school year, issued fines, released videos, and asked Waymo to pause operations during school pick-up and drop-off windows.
- Waymo reports no injuries tied to these events and says a Nov. 17 update has meaningfully improved behavior, pointing to a broader record of fewer injury crashes than human drivers.
- Incidents were recorded in Austin and Atlanta, and scrutiny is heightened as Waymo runs more than 100 vehicles across roughly 90 square miles in Austin while continuing to expand service.