Waymo Suspends Service in Six Cities After Month of Flood Recalls

As of May 25, Waymo is enduring a bumpy month of regulatory and operational setbacks. The crisis began May 12 with a voluntary recall of 3,791 fifth- and sixth-generation robotaxis after an unoccupied vehicle entered floodwater in San Antonio on April 20. Service pauses expanded from San Antonio to Atlanta on May 21, then to six cities total (Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Nashville, Atlanta) by May 22, alongside a U.S. freeway halt. Alphabet shares fell 2.6-3.0% on the initial news, though analysts view the issues as short-term given Waymo’s 200+ million miles and 500,000 weekly rides.