Waymo's Driverless Taxis Stalled Amid San Francisco Power Outage

December 21, 2025 - 19:07

A widespread power outage in San Francisco affected thousands of residents and disrupted daily life across the city. The blackout, which left many neighborhoods without electricity, also caused significant issues for Waymo's fleet of driverless taxis. As the power went out, the autonomous vehicles became confused and unable to navigate effectively, leading to a temporary shutdown of the service.

Waymo's robotaxis, designed to operate independently, rely heavily on a stable power supply and real-time data to function properly. The sudden loss of power rendered the vehicles immobile in various parts of the city, prompting the company to suspend operations until the situation stabilized.

Residents who relied on these autonomous taxis for transportation faced challenges as they sought alternative means to get around. The incident underscores the vulnerabilities of autonomous technology in urban environments, particularly during unexpected events like widespread power outages. As the city works to restore power, the future of driverless transportation in San Francisco remains uncertain.