For many years, Waymo cars have constantly stopped at stop signs, waited at intersections, and shown great caution when changing lanes or merging. This approach reduced risky maneuvers such as rapid acceleration or tailgating. However, the defensive and passive behavior of these robots also had drawbacks: Passengers and other road users criticized Waymo cars for being “stuck” in traffic, such as remaining stationary for minutes behind incorrectly parked vehicles or excessive hesitation when merging.
But recently, something has changed. As German magazine Spiegel Online reported, passengers noticed that many Waymo cars now drive more assertively than before. They no longer hesitate as much, move around obstacles closer, and pass more quickly. Some find this driving style reminiscent of an aggressive taxi or Uber driver rather than a well-programmed robo-taxi that makes software-driven decisions.
The Wall Street Journal has documented other examples: The article highlights illegal turns, excessive acceleration at pedestrian crossings, and the so-called “California stop,” in which vehicles slow down at a stop sign but do not come to a complete stop.
Waymo has now confirmed these observations. The company has modified the programming of its vehicles to enable the robots to operate with confidence and assertiveness, according to Waymo product manager Chris Ludwick. He explained that if robotaxis drive too passively, they can disrupt traffic flow. Lodwick added that while vehicles remain programmed to comply with traffic rules, they are now expected to make “common sense” decisions, even if a computer is making them, and to take into account the relevant “nuances.”
Interestingly, police in San Bruno, California, recently stopped a Waymo vehicle after it made an illegal turn. This incident has left many netizens wondering how the police could even stop a robotaxi. The car’s software is supposedly designed to recognize police signals. However, officers were unable to issue a fine because there was no human behind the wheel. A new law set to take effect in California in July 2026 will hold operating companies liable in such cases.
spiegel.de (in German), wsj.com (Paywall)
This article was first published by Florian Treis for the German edition of Electrive magazine.
