In a significant turn of events, Waymo announced on Saturday that it is halting its autonomous vehicle services across San Francisco. This decision comes after numerous online videos surfaced, showcasing the company's driverless cars causing traffic congestion during a major citywide blackout.
“We have temporarily suspended our ride-hailing services given the broad power outage in San Francisco,” stated Suzanne Philion, a spokesperson for Waymo, shortly after 7 p.m. The company emphasized its commitment to rider safety and ensuring that emergency personnel have unimpeded access to perform their duties during this crisis.
On Saturday, approximately one-third of San Francisco experienced a loss of electricity as rolling blackouts orchestrated by Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PG&E) affected around 125,000 homes and businesses. PG&E announced at 8:30 p.m. that power restoration efforts would commence “later this evening,” but the situation had already escalated into a transportation challenge.
With traffic lights disabled throughout the city, the autonomous vehicles faced significant difficulties navigating the streets. Reports indicate that the driverless cars were left confused and immobilized at intersections, leading to significant traffic jams. Videos and images shared by riders and pedestrians depict Waymo vehicles stuck in a line, unable to proceed while human drivers maneuvered around them.
In many instances, groups of two to five Waymo vehicles were observed halted at various corners, their red lights blinking as rain fell. This situation highlighted the challenges faced by autonomous driving technology in unpredictable conditions and the importance of human oversight in traffic management.
Waymo's decision to suspend its services underscores the company’s dedication to safety and responsiveness during emergencies. As the city works to restore power and normalcy, the situation serves as a reminder of the complexities and limitations associated with self-driving cars in real-world scenarios.