Waymo said Saturday it was halting service across San Francisco after multiple online videos showed its autonomous vehicles disrupting traffic during a citywide blackout.
“We have temporarily suspended our ride-hailing services in response to the widespread power outages in San Francisco,” company spokeswoman Suzanne Fillion wrote just after 7 p.m. “We are focused on keeping our riders safe and ensuring the clear access needed for emergency personnel to do their jobs.”
Nearly a third of San Francisco was without power throughout the day Saturday after a Pacific Gas & Electric Co. blackout affected about 125,000 homes and businesses. It was unclear when power would be restored, but the utility said it was “likely” it would be after Saturday.
Traffic lights were off across the city, making Vemos appear to be frozen in place. Riders and pedestrians posted videos of Vemo’s stuck at intersections with long lines of drivers behind them.
Several videos and images show Vemos stuck one behind the other while human drivers pass them.
Groups of two, three, about five Waymos were stranded in the rain in different corners across the city with red lights blinking.
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