Waymo updates software post-SF blackout robotaxi stalls

Introduction

The Waymo SF blackout robotaxi stalls incident revealed an important reality about autonomous vehicles: even the most advanced systems can struggle when city infrastructure suddenly fails.

During a major San Francisco power outage, several Waymo robotaxis stalled at intersections where traffic lights went dark — creating congestion and raising new questions about self-driving readiness during emergencies.

The event sparked public debate, regulatory attention, and — most importantly — a renewed focus from Waymo on improving reliability and safety.

What Happened in the Waymo SF Blackout Robotaxi Stalls

During the widespread blackout, traffic signals across multiple neighborhoods stopped working.

As drivers tried to navigate through dark intersections, many Waymo robotaxis paused and waited for additional confirmation before proceeding.

The vehicles are programmed to treat a dark signal as a four-way stop — a standard safety practice. But because there were so many intersections without power at once, the system became cautious to the point of stalling, prioritizing safety over movement.

This led to clusters of stationary robotaxis and temporary gridlock. Waymo eventually suspended service in affected areas until conditions stabilized.

Why the Stalls Occurred

The Waymo SF blackout robotaxi stalls were driven by two main factors:

• Mass outage across many intersections instead of isolated failures

• Highly cautious programming designed to avoid collisions at uncertain intersections

The vehicles repeatedly requested verification checks before crossing, which slowed operations and created backups. While the behavior showed that the cars are designed to be conservative, it also exposed how emergency edge cases require smarter decision-making.

Waymo’s Software Update and Response

Waymo responded quickly with a fleet-wide software update. The company said the goal is to help robotaxis:

• Better recognize citywide emergency situations

• Reduce unnecessary confirmation pauses

• Maintain safe movement without freezing at dark intersections

• Coordinate more efficiently with human support teams

Alongside the update, Waymo is also refining emergency protocols and improving coordination with local authorities so vehicles can respond appropriately when infrastructure goes offline.

Service resumed once power was restored and vehicles were cleared from impacted areas.

What This Means for Autonomous Driving

The Waymo SF blackout robotaxi stalls incident sparked industry-wide discussion about resilience. Supporters say these rare events help improve systems faster.

Critics argue that autonomous fleets must be prepared for the unexpected — especially in dense cities.

What’s clear is that autonomous vehicles must not only drive well under perfect conditions — they must function when things go wrong.

Conclusion

The Waymo SF blackout robotaxi stalls served as a real-world stress test for autonomous technology. While stalled vehicles caused short-term frustration, the incident led to meaningful improvements:

• smarter software

• stronger emergency protocols

• better collaboration with city systems

Waymo’s updates show the industry is learning from challenges and adapting. As cities modernize and automation grows, safety, reliability, and readiness during crises remain the ultimate benchmarks.