A month ago, a video circulated on social media showing a Waymo robotaxi stuck in a roundabout loop, with no passengers on board. While Waymo downplayed the incident as an isolated event, it has since come to light that another similar incident occurred around the same time, raising concerns over the reliability of autonomous technology.

In the second incident, Mike Johns, founder and CEO of AI consultancy Digital Mind State, found himself stuck in a Waymo robotaxi circling a parking lot, unable to stop the car or get out. The incident, which occurred in early December, was only resolved after a Waymo customer support specialist intervened, asking Johns to open his Waymo app and tap a specific button to get the car back on course.

While Waymo has confirmed the incident and issued a software update to address the issue, experts are calling for more robust safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future. Missy Cummings, a professor of autonomy and robotics at George Mason University and former senior safety advisor to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, notes that autonomous vehicles (AVs) need a "big red button" that can be pressed to disengage the system in emergency situations.

Cummings argues that relying on riders to troubleshoot issues through their apps is "error-prone" and can be dangerous in urgent situations. Instead, she suggests that AV companies should have a more direct way to remotely stop the vehicle and ensure passenger safety. Waymo claims to have a "pull over button" available to riders at all times, but Johns says he was not informed of this feature during the incident.

The incidents have sparked a wider debate over the role of human oversight in autonomous technology. Johns, who has experience with AI and automation, notes that while he is a proponent of these technologies, there is still a need for human involvement to ensure safety and accountability. "My biggest thing is in this digital age that we're in, we're so disconnected from the human factor," he says.

The incidents also raise questions over the level of transparency and communication from AV companies. Waymo only reached out to Johns after his video of the incident went viral, and the company has not confirmed whether there were other similar incidents. As autonomous technology becomes increasingly prevalent, there is a growing need for companies to prioritize safety, transparency, and accountability.

In conclusion, the recent incidents of Waymo robotaxis getting stuck in loops highlight the need for more robust safety measures and human oversight in autonomous technology. As the industry continues to evolve, it is crucial that companies prioritize passenger safety and accountability, and that regulators ensure that these companies are held to the highest standards.