Waymo Restarts San Antonio Robotaxis Five Months After Flood Failure
Waymo resumes paid San Antonio robotaxi rides five months after flood failures, deploying updated software and dozens of vehicles across a 60-mile service area.
Summary
Waymo restarted paid robotaxi service in San Antonio on September 17, 2026, five months after heavy April flooding stranded multiple vehicles and swept one away. The robotaxis slowed but failed to stop before entering waterlogged streets, prompting a May recall and restrictions on driving in areas with elevated flood risk. Operations briefly paused in other Texas cities have also resumed.
Dozens of vehicles will serve a 60-mile area covering downtown and San Antonio International Airport. Waymo changed its software to improve detection and avoidance of standing water, although its effectiveness during future flooding remains untested. The company now offers paid rides in 15 U.S. cities.
Positives
- Dozens of Waymo vehicles will cover a 60-mile San Antonio service area including downtown and San Antonio International Airport.
- Software changes are designed to help Waymo robotaxis detect and avoid standing water more effectively.
- Paid Waymo rides are now available across 15 U.S. cities.
- Other Texas services briefly paused during the April flooding have resumed.
Risks & concerns
- One Waymo robotaxi was swept away during San Antonio's April flash flooding.
- Multiple vehicles became stranded after slowing but failing to stop before entering waterlogged streets.
- A May recall and flood-risk restrictions exposed a significant weather-related weakness in Waymo's autonomous driving system.
- The updated software's performance during future severe flooding remains untested.