Elon Musk Critiques Waymo as Robotaxis Stall During San Francisco Blackout

Elon Musk publicly criticized Waymo after its self-driving vehicles experienced significant disruptions during a recent power outage in San Francisco. The blackout, which occurred in October 2023, affected approximately 130,000 households and businesses, causing widespread traffic issues across the city. Musk took to the platform X to highlight that Tesla’s robotaxis were not impacted by the outage, while sharing videos of Waymo cars stalled at intersections where traffic signals were non-functional.

Waymo temporarily suspended its self-driving ride-sharing service in the Bay Area due to the blackout. Videos circulating on social media depicted Waymo vehicles halted at crosswalks, with frustrated drivers maneuvering around them as traffic came to a standstill. A spokesperson for Waymo confirmed to Fox News Digital that the service had resumed following the outage, attributing the disruption to malfunctioning traffic lights caused by the blackout.

Details of the Incident

Waymo explained that its self-driving technology is designed to treat non-operational traffic signals as four-way stops. Nonetheless, the extent of the outage resulted in some vehicles pausing longer than intended, contributing to the congestion. The company stated, “We are committed to working swiftly to integrate lessons learned from experience into our performance to respond effectively to major infrastructure incidents.”

The blackout was linked to a fire at a Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) substation located in the city’s Mission District. PG&E characterized the damage as “significant and extensive,” complicating efforts to restore power. By the morning following the incident, power had been restored to around 110,000 customers, although approximately 21,000 homes remained without electricity, primarily in the western and central areas of San Francisco.

Impact on Transportation and Public Response

The incident raised questions about the reliability of autonomous vehicle technology in emergency situations. While Tesla’s robotaxis navigated the blackout without incident, Waymo’s experience highlights the challenges faced by self-driving cars when infrastructure fails. The situation sparked discussions on social media, with many users sharing their experiences and frustrations during the traffic disruptions.

As the technology continues to evolve, both companies may face increased scrutiny regarding their systems’ resilience in real-world conditions. This incident underscores the importance of effective infrastructure management, particularly as cities increasingly rely on advanced technology for transportation solutions.

In the wake of this event, industry experts will likely analyze the implications for autonomous vehicle deployment in urban environments, particularly regarding their response to unforeseen emergencies.