GoKawiilWaymo resumes San Antonio robotaxi rides after flood-related recall
Waymo has relaunched paid robotaxi service in San Antonio five months after several of its vehicles got stuck in an April flash flood, with one car swept away by rising water. The company says it updated its software to better detect and avoid standing water, and will now operate dozens of vehicles across a 60-mile zone covering downtown and the airport.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The episode exposed a real gap in autonomous vehicles' ability to judge hazardous weather conditions that human drivers instinctively avoid, prompting a formal recall in May. Waymo's return signals confidence in its software fix, but it also underscores the ongoing challenge of proving robotaxis can safely handle unpredictable environmental risks as the service expands to 15 U.S. cities.
- Waymo relaunches San Antonio robotaxis after a five-month suspension tied to flood damage.
- A May recall followed vehicles getting stuck or swept away during April's flash flooding.
- New software aims to improve detection of standing water as coverage expands to a 60-mile zone.
Source: techcrunch.com — Sean O'Kane, 2026-09-17
Published there as: “Waymo restarts San Antonio service 5 months after flooding troubles”
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