Seen a robotaxi stopped for no reason? It'll move again soon
Share and Follow

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) Have you seen a robotaxi stop, but the road ahead is clear of obstacles? Over the last week, so did affiliate KXAN employees.

Between May 31 and June 3, multiple self-driving cars stopped on W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in front of the KXAN station. The vehicles paused before a low-hanging tree branch.

Waymo robotaxis stop because of a low hanging branch. (KXAN Photo/Ed Zavala)

But after several seconds, the car would enter the oncoming lane and pass the empty space. Human-driven cars navigated the branch without delay after the driverless cars moved.

When a situation like this happens, the vehicle is likely functioning as it should.

The cars, operated by robotaxi company Waymo, use a combination of cameras, radar and lidar to detect objects in front of and around them. A Waymo spokesperson told KXAN that the branch may have been low enough to enter the top part of the cars’ sensor map.

The spokesperson explained that the company approaches these incidents with ample caution. The car notifies a Waymo employee, who will remotely examine and intervene to get the vehicle safely moving again.

And the tree? City of Austin workers stopped by and trimmed the branch Tuesday afternoon.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Israel sends negotiating team to Qatar for ceasefire talks

Israel Dispatches Peace Delegation to Qatar for Ceasefire Negotiations

U.S. President Donald Trump has pushed for an agreement and will host…
Texas weather: Massive recovery efforts underway in Kerr County following catastrophic flooding in Central Texas

Recovery Efforts in Kerr County Following Catastrophic Flooding in Central Texas

KERR COUNTY, Texas — Rescuers scoured a devastated central Texas landscape of…
Antisemitic attackers violently target synagogue, Israeli restaurant in Australia

Antisemitic attackers violently target synagogue, Israeli restaurant in Australia

Australia hit by rise in antisemitic incidents A synagogue was firebombed in…
JSO searching for suspect in shooting that left 1 injured

Police in Jacksonville are looking for a suspect in a shooting incident that resulted in one person being wounded.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says this happened just before 1:30 a.m. Sunday…
Top West Bank leaders propose leaving Palestinian Authority, recognizing the state of Israel: letter

Key West Bank Officials suggest withdrawing support from Palestinian Authority and acknowledging Israel as a state: communication

A team of five prominent Palestinian officials from the Hebron region in…
Dallas Cowboys make emotional gesture after devastating Texas floods

Dallas Cowboys’ Heartfelt Gesture in Response to Devastating Texas Floods

The Dallas Cowboys have pledged $500,000 to the relief efforts of the…
Tropical Storm Chantal forecast to bring heavy rain to the Carolinas

Expect heavy rain in the Carolinas as Tropical Storm Chantal approaches

MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Chantal formed off the southeast U.S. coast…
Red state now offers preferred parking for pregnant women

Red state now offers preferred parking for pregnant women

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Florida is days into…