From TechCrunch · Sean O'Kane · · 1m 10s
Waymo restarts San Antonio after flood disaster
The robotaxi company brings service back to Texas five months after vehicles got swept away in April flooding.
In brief
The robotaxi company brings service back to Texas five months after vehicles got swept away in April flooding. Waymo is returning to San Antonio with improved software to detect standing water, showing the company can recover from safety failures and adapt its technology. Originally reported by TechCrunch.
Waymo's San Antonio disaster
In April, multiple Waymo robotaxis got stuck during heavy flooding. The vehicles slowed but didn't stop as they approached waterlogged streets, leading to one being swept away.
Recall and restrictions follow
Waymo issued a recall in May and restricted its robotaxis from driving in areas with elevated flooding risk. The company briefly paused operations in other Texas cities too.
Service returns with upgrades
Five months later, Waymo is restarting paid rides in San Antonio with dozens of vehicles covering a 60-mile area including downtown and the airport.
Better water detection software
Waymo told the San Antonio Express-News it has made software changes to help robotaxis better detect and avoid standing water in the future.
Expanding across America
Waymo now offers paid rides in 15 U.S. cities after resuming services in other Texas locations that were briefly paused.
The headline
Waymo is returning to San Antonio with improved software to detect standing water, showing the company can recover from safety failures and adapt its technology.
