Waymo Resumes San Francisco Robotaxi Service After Blackout-Induced Suspension

Waymo has resumed its robotaxi services in San Francisco after a temporary suspension prompted by a widespread power outage on Saturday evening. The blackout, which affected approximately 120,000 Pacific Gas & Electric customers, led to numerous Waymo vehicles becoming stationary at various city intersections.

A Waymo spokesperson stated, "Yesterday's power outage was a widespread event that caused gridlock across San Francisco, with non-functioning traffic signals and transit disruptions." The company emphasized its commitment to adapting its technology to manage traffic flow during such events.

The outage also disrupted traffic signals and public transit systems, prompting San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie to advise residents to avoid non-essential travel.

Waymo's self-driving systems are designed to treat non-functioning traffic lights as four-way stops. However, the scale of the blackout caused some vehicles to remain stationary longer than usual as they assessed intersections. Despite these challenges, the majority of active trips were completed successfully.

The blackout was reportedly caused by a fire at a Pacific Gas & Electric substation in the city. While most affected customers had power restored by late Saturday, approximately 35,000 remained without electricity on Sunday morning.

Waymo has been expanding its robotaxi services in the San Francisco Bay Area, recently obtaining a permit to test operations at San Francisco International Airport.