🔗 Share this article US Safety Officials Initiate Inquiry into Alphabet's Self-Driving Fleet Regarding Student Transport Safety Issues The primary transportation safety regulator disclosed on Monday it had started a preliminary examination into around 2,000 the company's autonomous units following accounts suggesting these robotaxis may have failed to comply with vehicle safety regulations in proximity to parked school buses. Government Oversight Intensifies for Autonomous Systems This probe by NHTSA represents another government examination into self-driving technologies as regulators carefully examine the way autonomous technologies engage with pedestrians, bikers, along with additional road users. Event Particulars Prompt Official Review Federal officials reported how its Office of Defects Investigation began the investigation following noting press account describing an incident in which a Waymo self-driving car did not remain stationary when approaching student transport with warning lights illuminated, safety arm activated, and student crossing arm deployed. Documentation stated that the Waymo vehicle first stopped next to the school bus then maneuvered past its front, passing the deployed safety arm and safety barrier as children were disembarking. Waymo's Operations and Statement The company indicated that its robotaxi fleet presently operates over 1,500 units running across prominent US cities, such as Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin, plus with New York City planned soon. One Waymo representative declared: "The company has already created and introduced enhancements concerning stopping for student transport and will release additional technical enhancements in our next system update." Waymo added: "Operating securely around young passengers remains one of Waymo's primary priorities. During the incident described, our car came toward the transport vehicle from a position where the red lights plus warning device were not visible then proceeded slowly around the front section of the vehicle before proceeding beyond the bus, preserving a safe distance away from students." Technical Details NHTSA stated that the vehicle concerned was equipped with Waymo's latest autonomous technology while running without an actual backup driver during it occurred.