Waymo Robotaxis Halt During San Francisco Power Outage
Monday, 2025/12/29191 words3 minutes799 reads
A substantial power outage in San Francisco, precipitated by a fire in a substation, led to the unexpected cessation of Waymo's autonomous taxi operations throughout the city. The incident, which affected over 100,000 customers, resulted in a series of traffic disruptions as the self-driving vehicles came to a halt in various streets and intersections.
The outage's repercussions extended beyond Waymo's fleet, impacting traffic signals and public transportation. Mayor Daniel Lurie mobilized emergency services to mitigate the ensuing traffic congestion. Waymo's spokesperson elucidated that while their autonomous driving system is programmed to interpret non-functional traffic signals as four-way stops, the unprecedented scale of the blackout necessitated prolonged stationary periods at affected intersections to ensure safety.
Waymo initially suspended all services in the Bay Area as a precautionary measure but has since resumed operations. The company emphasized its collaboration with city officials throughout the crisis and noted that the majority of active trips were successfully completed before vehicles were either returned to depots or safely pulled over.
This incident underscores the intricate relationship between urban infrastructure and emerging autonomous technologies, highlighting the need for robust contingency plans in the face of unforeseen disruptions.
