San Francisco Blackout Causes Waymo Vehicles to Stall, Creating Traffic Jams; Company Halts Service

On December 21, a large-scale power outage occurred in San Francisco, causing power disruptions in one-third of the city. During this period, Waymo self-driving cars stalled at various intersections due to malfunctioning traffic signals, causing severe traffic congestion. Videos circulating on social media show multiple Waymo vehicles parked in rows at crossroads, obstructing normal traffic. In response to this situation, Waymo announced the suspension of its autonomous ride-hailing service in San Francisco at around 7 PM that evening. A company spokesperson stated that this measure was to ensure passenger safety and provide clear passage for emergency vehicles. This incident exposed the limitations of autonomous driving systems when facing extreme situations and has also sparked public discussion about the reliability of self-driving technology. The power company expects to begin restoring power later that evening.