Waymo Gets Paralyzed By Venice Canal Parade - CleanTechnica

The article from CleanTechnica recounts a humorous incident in Venice, California, where a Waymo robotaxi became stuck for over 45 minutes on a small bridge during a Christmas canal boat parade. The robotaxi repeatedly attempted to cross the bridge but retreated each time, seemingly confused by the low clearance and the boats passing underneath, which its sensors likely misinterpreted as obstacles. This led to a temporary traffic jam, with many locals gathering around and trying to encourage the vehicle to move forward. While some Tesla enthusiasts criticized Waymo for the incident, the article emphasizes that such edge cases are expected as autonomous vehicle technology continues to develop. The author suggests that although robotaxis can sometimes perform worse than human drivers in unusual scenarios, safety remains paramount, and companies like Waymo will likely address these challenges over time. Overall, the event highlights the ongoing learning curve for self-driving cars in complex, real-world environments rather than signaling a major failure.