Waymo's Fully Autonomous Vehicles Have Fleet Response Agents in the Philippines - CleanTechnica

Waymo has confirmed that some of its fully autonomous vehicles receive advisory assistance from remote human operators, known as Fleet Response Agents, based both in the United States and the Philippines. These agents provide input in complex driving scenarios that the autonomous system cannot confidently interpret, such as unclear construction zones or unusual roadside behavior. While Waymo emphasizes that these agents do not control the vehicle’s steering, braking, or acceleration and that the autonomous system retains final decision-making authority, the involvement of offshore human advisors has sparked significant debate in Washington. Lawmakers have raised concerns about safety, cybersecurity, accountability, and the implications of relying on overseas workers who may lack real-time familiarity with local US road conditions. During a recent US Congressional hearing, Waymo’s Chief Safety Officer Mauricio Peña acknowledged the offshore role but could not specify the proportion of agents based abroad, prompting further scrutiny from legislators including Senators Ed Markey and Richard Blumenthal. Critics argue that even advisory human involvement challenges the notion of full autonomy, blurs regulatory definitions