Waymo has suspended robotaxi service on freeways in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Miami as it works to improve performance in construction zones, the company confirmed to TechCrunch on Thursday.
Waymo said it's in the process of integrating new capabilities to better navigate construction zones, which have posed challenges for its autonomous vehicles. The suspension affects freeway rides in these cities, but the company continues to operate on surface streets.
Waymo's decision comes after reports of robotaxis struggling with lane closures, cones, and temporary signage in construction areas. The company did not provide a timeline for resuming freeway service.
Waymo is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. and has been testing autonomous vehicles in multiple U.S. cities. The company has faced scrutiny from regulators and the public over safety concerns.
