Waymo robotaxis resume freeway driving after software updates

In an announcement on X, Waymo stated that software updates designed to enhance scene recognition and routing around freeway construction zones have been implemented. These updates are intended to improve performance in such environments.

The temporary halt and subsequent restart of freeway services occur amidst heightened scrutiny of autonomous vehicle operators. Earlier this week, Representative Kevin Mullin proposed legislation to establish federal safety standards for autonomous vehicles, prompted by incidents where self-driving cars obstructed emergency responders and failed to recognize safety signals.

Waymo had initially launched freeway-enabled robotaxi services in November 2025 across San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, aiming to offer faster commutes. The service was popular, but its sudden disappearance in May led to rider inquiries. At the time, Waymo cited a need to integrate recent technical learnings into its software.

Weeks later, Waymo voluntarily recalled nearly 4,000 of its robotaxis after identifying at least 13 instances where the vehicles drove into highway sections closed for construction. No injuries or collisions were reported in connection with these events. This recall was the sixth for Waymo's robotaxis, with previous ones addressing issues like driving into flooded roads and improper behavior around school buses.