Alphabet's self-driving unit, Waymo, has issued a voluntary recall for 3,791 of its robotaxis due to a software issue that could cause the vehicles to drive into flooded areas. The recall covers Waymo's fifth- and sixth-generation automated driving systems, affecting nearly its entire operational fleet. The action was prompted by an April 20 incident where an unoccupied Waymo vehicle entered a flooded road instead of avoiding it.
No injuries were reported from the incident. As an interim measure, Waymo has increased weather-related operational constraints and updated its mapping data to avoid roads prone to flooding. The company stated it is currently developing a permanent software fix to fully address the issue. This marks Waymo's fourth software-related recall since early 2024, according to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).