TEXAS STORMS CAUSING WAYMO DRIVERLESS CARS TO PAUSE BUSINESS FOR SAFETY

Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle (AV) company, Waymo, has been limited and in some areas of Texas, suspended. Waymo has recalled over 3,000 cars for software updates before the storm due to cars reportedly driving in high flood waters.

Texas is now under flood watch through the weekened with several rounds of storms. With the company facing negativity after the AVs didn’t detect high waters or

dangerous road conditions and construction, Waymo said the suspensions were precautionary and intended to prioritize rider and

community safety.

Like many autonomous vehicle companies, Waymo still costs far more to operate than it brings in. Its parent company, Alphabet, continues to fund those expenses as the business expands. Analysts estimate Waymo is currently losing between $2.4 billion and $5 billion per year while investing heavily in growth, technology, and scaling its robotaxi operations.

Industry analysts continue viewing autonomous transportation as one of the largest potential growth sectors in technology and mobility. Waymo has raised billions of dollars in funding and has been valued at around $126 billion dollars.

Waymo is growing faster than its competitors, but repeating safety issues may test the public and investor trust. On the contrary, company backed research analyzing more than 56 million autonomous miles, reported lower crash rates compared to human driven vehicle. According to public reports, there about 500,000 paid rides per week and Waymo expects to reach 1 million per week by the end of 2026.

Houston recently became one of the company’s key expansion markets ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Waymo increasing service coverage to nearly 50 square miles around the city.

The expansion places Waymo in increasing competition with companies including Zoox and Uber, which partners with Waymo in select markets. With Uber partnering with Waymo in growing market cities such as cities in Texas, this weekend and until further notice, Uber drivers will receive an increase of customers.

Waymo has not announced when all suspended routes and services will fully resume.