Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle division Waymo has recalled over 1,200 of its self-driving vehicles following a series of minor collisions with road obstacles, marking another notable moment in the evolving regulatory landscape for autonomous driving technology.

The Recall Details

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Wednesday that Waymo issued a recall for 1,212 vehicles equipped with its fifth-generation automated driving software. According to the Los Angeles Times, the recall was prompted by several incidents involving collisions with “gates, chains and other obstacles in the road” that thankfully did not result in any injuries.

The safety regulator had opened an investigation into Waymo in May 2024 after receiving reports of 22 incidents involving the company’s fifth-generation software. NHTSA noted that several of these incidents “involved collisions with clearly visible objects that a competent driver would be expected to avoid,” as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

Between 2022 and late 2024, Waymo vehicles were involved in 16 collisions with chains, gates, and similar barriers, according to The Robot Report. The NHTSA’s recall notice described the issue bluntly: “A vehicle that crashes into chains, gates or other gate-like roadway barriers increases the risk of injury,” as cited by CBS News.

Swift Response and Resolution

Waymo has already addressed the software defect through an update released in November 2024 that “significantly reduced the likelihood of collisions with chains, gates, and other gate-like roadway barriers,” according to the recall documentation referenced by CBS News. The company completed the deployment of this updated software across its entire fleet by December 26, 2024.

“We hold ourselves to a high safety standard, and our record of reducing injuries over tens of millions of fully autonomous miles driven shows our technology is making roads safer,” a Waymo spokesperson told The Robot Report. “NHTSA plays a vital role in road safety, and we will continue to work collaboratively with the agency as part of our mission to be the world’s most trusted driver.”

Importantly, Waymo has emphasized that the recall does not affect any vehicles currently on the road or impact its ongoing operations, according to The Robot Report. The company currently operates more than 1,500 vehicles across Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Austin, providing over 250,000 paid trips weekly.

Context in a Growing Industry

This isn’t the first time Waymo has issued a software recall. In 2024, the company voluntarily recalled 672 robotaxis after one autonomously drove into a telephone pole in Phoenix, as noted by The Robot Report.

The latest recall comes at a time when self-driving vehicles are facing increased scrutiny. The Los Angeles Times points to “several issues with Tesla’s autonomous technology and a 2023 incident in which a pedestrian was seriously injured by a Cruise vehicle” as contributing to this heightened attention.

Waymo, which launched services in Los Angeles late last year, continues to expand despite these challenges. CBS News reports that the company plans to expand to a dozen more cities beyond its current operations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Austin.

As autonomous vehicle technology continues to develop and deploy in more locations, these regulatory interactions highlight the complex balance between innovation and safety oversight. For Waymo and the broader industry, addressing these incidents transparently while continuing to improve technology safety remains critical to maintaining public trust and regulatory approval.