Overview
- NHTSA’s defects office sent a Dec. 3 information request expanding its investigation and set a Jan. 20, 2026 response deadline for Waymo.
- Austin ISD says videos show about 19–20 incidents this school year of Waymo vehicles passing stopped school buses, including at least five after a Nov. 17 software update.
- The district reports roughly 20 citations and requested a pause during 5:20–9:30 a.m. and 3–7 p.m.; officials say Waymo declined to halt service in those windows.
- Waymo says it will file a voluntary software recall early next week to address slowing and stopping near school buses and reports no injuries tied to these events.
- The federal review traces back to an October Atlanta case and comes as viral clips of other unusual behaviors, including a robotaxi entering an active LAPD stop, heighten scrutiny.