Waymo Halts Service in San Francisco as Cars Stall at Intersections

Blackout exposes robotaxi emergency gaps

A widespread power outage in San Francisco that led to Waymo robotaxis stalling and snarling traffic earlier this month has raised concerns about the readiness of autonomous vehicle operators to tackle major emergencies like earthquakes and floods. Driverless taxis from Alphabet unit Waymo, a ubiquitous feature on the city's streets, were stuck at intersections with their hazard lights turned on as traffic lights stopped working following a fire…

San Francisco Blackout Freezes Waymo Robotaxis, Sparks Gridlock and Scrutiny

When Darkness Fell: Inside Waymo’s Robotaxi Meltdown in San Francisco’s Epic Blackout San Francisco’s bustling streets turned into a chaotic standstill on December 20, 2025, when a massive power outage plunged much of the city into darkness. Traffic lights blinked out, leaving intersections unguided and drivers scrambling. But the real drama unfolded with Waymo’s fleet of autonomous robotaxis, which suddenly froze in place, blocking roads and ex…

Waymo explains why its robotaxis got stuck during the SF blackout

The company also said its robotaxis navigated more than 7,000 dark stoplights successfully on Saturday.

Waymo to update software after jam amid power loss

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Waymo to update software across fleet after major power failure

Waymo to update software after San Francisco power outage snarls self-driving vehicles

Waymo is updating its self-driving car software and emergency plans after its vehicles stalled in San Francisco due to a power outage. The outage affected traffic lights, causing congestion. Waymo vehicles are designed for dark signals but experienced delays. The company is refining protocols for its current scale.