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How did the power outage affect Waymo's autonomous vehicles?
The power outage disabled traffic lights across San Francisco, causing traffic jams and confusing autonomous vehicles operated by Waymo. As a result, many vehicles stalled at intersections, leading to service suspension and increased congestion until power was restored.
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Why did Waymo suspend its service during the outage?
Waymo suspended its service due to safety concerns and traffic disruptions caused by the outage. The company prioritized passenger safety and decided to halt operations until the city’s infrastructure was back online and their systems could operate reliably.
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Are autonomous vehicles vulnerable during infrastructure failures?
Yes, autonomous vehicles rely heavily on traffic signals and detailed maps. During power outages, these systems can fail or become unreliable, making autonomous navigation more challenging and increasing the risk of accidents or traffic jams.
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How are companies like Waymo improving vehicle safety during outages?
Autonomous vehicle companies are working on enhancing their systems with better fallback protocols, real-time data integration, and more resilient navigation algorithms to better handle infrastructure failures and ensure safety during emergencies.
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What does this incident mean for future disaster preparedness?
The outage highlights the need for cities and autonomous vehicle providers to develop more robust emergency response plans, including backup navigation systems and coordinated communication strategies to maintain mobility and safety during infrastructure failures.