Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) said its self-driving unit Waymo will update software across its fleet after a major power outage in San Francisco caused several robotaxis to stop in traffic over the weekend. The blackout was caused by a fire at a power substation run by PG&E Corp (PCG). As a result, large parts of the city lost power, and many traffic lights across San Francisco went dark.
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Under normal conditions, Waymo said its vehicles are designed to treat dark traffic signals like four-way stops. During the outage, the company said its fleet safely handled about 7,000 dark intersections.
Even so, the scale of the blackout led to disruptions. Videos shared online showed several Waymo vehicles stopped in the middle of streets with hazard lights on, as traffic backed up around them. As conditions worsened, city officials urged drivers to stay off the roads. In response, Waymo said it suspended service during the outage.
Software Changes Aim to Prevent Repeat Issues
Following the incident, Waymo said it is updating its software so vehicles can handle large power failures better. The changes are meant to help cars move through dark intersections more smoothly during widespread outages.
At the same time, the company said it is working with city officials to improve emergency response steps. Waymo is coordinating with Mayor Daniel Lurie and updating training for first responders so stalled vehicles can be handled more quickly during outages or similar situations.
The outage served as another real-world test for autonomous vehicles operating in busy cities. For Waymo, the episode led to software changes and closer coordination with local officials as the service continues to operate in complex traffic conditions.
Is GOOGL Stock a Good Buy?
Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Strong Buy consensus rating on GOOGL stock based on 28 Buys and seven Holds assigned in the past three months. Furthermore, the average GOOGL price target of $326.41 per share implies 3.84% upside potential.
