Waymo's Robotaxi and the School Bus Incident: What Happened?

A recent incident involving a Waymo robotaxi and a school bus in Atlanta has sparked an investigation by federal safety regulators. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is looking into how Waymo's self-driving software handles situations involving stopped school buses. The incident occurred in early October when a Waymo robotaxi was seen maneuvering around a school bus that was unloading children. The bus had its red lights flashing, which typically signals that children are getting on or off the bus. The robotaxi crossed in front of the bus and then turned left, continuing down the street. Waymo claims that the bus was partially blocking the driveway the robotaxi was leaving, and that the vehicle could not see the flashing lights or stop sign. However, the company did not confirm whether the robotaxi could see the children getting off the bus or the bus's control arm.This is not the first time Waymo has faced scrutiny over its self-driving technology. The company has been expanding rapidly, launching its robotaxis in new cities across the U. S. This growth means that Waymo's self-driving system is encountering and learning from new scenarios all the time. Waymo has stated that safety is its top priority and that it will continue to work with the NHTSA to ensure the safety of its vehicles. The company has also issued software updates to improve performance. But this incident raises questions about the safety of self-driving vehicles and their ability to handle complex situations on the road. As Waymo continues to expand, it will be important for the company to address these concerns and ensure that its technology is safe for everyone on the road.