Waymo Suspends San Francisco Robotaxi Service Amid Power Outage

A significant power outage in San Francisco on Saturday afternoon affected approximately 130,000 customers, leading to widespread disruptions across the city. The blackout, caused by a fire at a Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) substation, resulted in extensive damage and left many areas without electricity.

In response to the outage, Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., temporarily suspended its driverless ride-hailing services in the city. The decision came after numerous reports and social media posts showed Waymo's robotaxis stalled at intersections, unable to navigate due to non-functioning traffic signals. A Waymo spokesperson stated, "We have temporarily suspended our ride-hailing services given the broad power outage in San Francisco."

The incident highlights the challenges autonomous vehicles face when critical infrastructure, such as traffic lights, becomes inoperative. Videos shared online depicted multiple Waymo vehicles immobilized in various parts of the city, contributing to traffic congestion.

As of Sunday morning, PG&E had restored power to most affected customers, though thousands remained without electricity. The utility company is working diligently to complete repairs and fully restore service.