Waymo temporarily halted its robotaxi service in San Francisco after a widespread power outage left several autonomous vehicles immobilized, snarling traffic across parts of the city.
Videos shared on social media showed Waymo vehicles stopped in traffic lanes or blocking intersections, worsening congestion at a time when power failures had already disabled traffic lights. Drivers reported significant delays as stalled robotaxis added to the gridlock.
A Waymo spokesperson said the company paused operations to prioritize rider safety and ensure that emergency responders could move freely through affected areas, the San Francisco Standard reported.
The company didn’t specify why the blackout disrupted its vehicles, though the outage may have interfered with traffic signals or wireless data feeds that Waymo’s cars rely on to navigate safely, prompting them to stop as a precaution.
The episode highlighted how dependent autonomous vehicle fleets are on external infrastructure. While Waymo frequently emphasizes that its vehicles outperform human drivers on safety metrics, the incident underscored their vulnerability to failures beyond the company’s control, such as disruptions to the power grid.
Waymo is Alphabet’s (GOOG) (GOOGL) autonomous driving unit and one of the most advanced commercial robotaxi operators in the United States, with paid driverless services running in San Francisco, Phoenix and parts of Los Angeles. The business is a key long-term bet for Alphabet (GOOG) (GOOGL) as it looks to extend its leadership in artificial intelligence beyond search and advertising into real-world transportation.
In San Francisco, where robotaxis make up a growing share of traffic, the outage may intensify public skepticism about automation. Critics have already called for tighter limits on autonomous vehicles following recent high-profile incidents involving Waymo cars.
The blackout affected roughly a third of the city after a fire broke out at a Pacific Gas and Electric (PCG) substation near 8th and Mission streets on Saturday afternoon. Power was cut in neighborhoods including the Sunset and Richmond districts, Haight-Ashbury, Pacific Heights and the Presidio before the fire was brought under control.