In Summary. Posted:. 3:30 PM PDT · July 18, 2026. Waymo’s robotaxi service has resumed following temporary adjustments made in San Francisco due to a power outage that impacted approximately 7,000 PG&E customers in the city. A screenshot shared on social media revealed that Waymo informed SF clients of the temporary pause in service and unavailability of freeway routes. Upon being contacted by TechCrunch, a representative of the Alphabet-owned company responded with the following statement, “We are currently implementing temporary changes to our service as we assess the situation in the relevant region.” We understand that riders rely on our services, and we aim to resume regular operations as soon as feasible. one month” in the affected areas. The decision was made in order to “assess and improve” the technology and vehicles used in their autonomous ride-hailing service. This pause in service will allow Waymo to better address any issues and ensure a high-quality experience for their customers. An hour will be dedicated to determine the extent of the power outage impacting a significant part of San Francisco and collaborate with nearby authorities. In the past, power outages have disrupted Waymo services, such as when multiple vehicles halted on urban roads in December and during a Fourth of July fireworks display on the Golden Gate Bridge, causing traffic to come to a standstill. Consequently, San Francisco’s Mayor Daniel Lurie is advocating for stricter state laws to ensure autonomous vehicles can function properly during significant incidents, whether planned or not.
