Waymo relies on firefighters and police to bail out stuck robotaxis
Waymo's robotaxis increasingly rely on emergency services for assistance.
Waymo's robotaxi service faced a significant challenge when one of its vehicles became stuck during a fire incident on California's I-280, prompting the company to call 911 for assistance. Despite having a roadside assistance team, Waymo has increasingly relied on first responders to navigate its vehicles out of emergency situations, with at least six documented instances where police or firefighters had to intervene. This reliance has raised concerns among lawmakers about the impact on public safety resources as Waymo expands its operations.
Key Takeaways
- 1.
Waymo has called on first responders to assist its robotaxis in at least six incidents.
- 2.
The company operates around 3,000 vehicles, with 70 remote assistance workers monitoring them.
- 3.
Waymo's robotaxis provide over 400,000 paid rides weekly.
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