Waymo Resumes SF Robotaxis After Blackout Tests Autonomous Response

The blackout highlighted the vulnerability of autonomous systems to sudden utility failures. Waymo's spokesperson noted that the incident prompted a reevaluation of how the technology responds to dynamic traffic conditions during such events. The company's continued presence in the Bay Area signals its commitment to refining its self-driving technology amid unpredictable urban environments.

Meanwhile, Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed on social media platform X that "Tesla Robotaxis were unaffected by SF power," though Tesla does not offer driverless robotaxis in the region and only provides supervised autonomous driving features. The blackout served as a real-world stress test for companies operating in the autonomous transportation sector, raising questions about system resilience and response protocols.