Waymo robotaxis kept illegally passing school buses after software fix, feds say

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a new investigation into Waymo's self-driving system after reports that its robotaxis continued to illegally pass school buses with flashing red lights, despite a software update intended to fix the issue nearly a year ago. The incidents occurred after the update was completed on November 17, 2025, and the majority of them happened in Austin, Texas, where Waymo operates a robotaxi service. The ODI has opened a 'recall query' to assess the adequacy of the remedy. The investigation was initially opened in October 2025 after footage showed a Waymo robotaxi maneuvering around a stopped school bus in Atlanta.