Key facts
- Waymo is expanding its driverless car services to more U.S. cities.
- The company is experiencing an increase in operational glitches.
- Glitches occur when vehicles encounter novel situations not programmed for.
- Waymo is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.
- The company is facing investigations into recurring incidents.
Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., is facing an increase in operational glitches as it pushes for rapid expansion into more U.S. cities. The driverless vehicles are encountering novel situations that their current programming is not equipped to handle, leading to these incidents. This rise in glitches has prompted investigations into recurring issues faced by the company. The expansion strategy, while ambitious, is being met with scrutiny due to these operational challenges. The company's ability to navigate unforeseen circumstances on public roads is being tested as it scales its services. These incidents highlight the complexities of deploying fully autonomous technology in diverse urban environments. The investigations suggest a need for further review of Waymo's safety protocols and its capacity to manage unexpected scenarios.