Waymo has temporarily suspended its fully autonomous robotaxi service in Dallas, Austin, Houston and San Antonio this week as a precaution following flooding-related incidents.
The pause, announced late last week, comes after an unoccupied Waymo vehicle drove into a flooded street in Atlanta on May 21, 2026, and remained stranded for nearly an hour. The company has also faced prior flooding challenges, including an April incident in San Antonio where a vehicle was swept by floodwaters.
Waymo cited forecasted severe weather across Texas and an abundance of caution for rider and public safety. A company spokesperson confirmed operations in Dallas will resume only when conditions are deemed safe. No injuries have been reported in any of the recent incidents.
The Alphabet-owned company began rolling out commercial service in Dallas earlier this year and operates in all four Texas cities, primarily through its app and partnerships like Uber. The suspensions affect riders relying on the service for daily commutes and travel during Memorial Day weekend.
This marks the latest challenge for autonomous vehicle technology in handling extreme weather. Waymo has issued software updates and a voluntary recall affecting thousands of vehicles to improve performance around flooded roads and construction zones. The company continues to monitor forecasts closely.
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