After an incident in December 2023 involving two of its self-driving vehicles hitting the same towed pickup truck in Phoenix, Waymo has initiated a voluntary recall of the software used in its autonomous vehicle fleet.

Why it matters: Although there were no passengers in the Waymo vehicles at the time and the crashes resulted in minor damage and no injuries, the recall highlights potential challenges facing the self-driving car industry, especially regarding unusual road scenarios.

What happened: Both incidents involved a Waymo vehicle making contact with a pickup truck being improperly towed in such a way that it crossed traffic lanes. The unusual persistent orientation of the towed truck led to incorrect predictions by the Waymo vehicles' software about its future motion.

The response: Waymo reported the crashes to the Phoenix Police Department and the Arizona Department of Public Safety, initiating a swift review and update of the software. The update roll-out began on December 20, 2023, and was completed by January 12, 2024, as detailed in Waymo's blog.

Between the lines: The voluntary recall is an assertion from Waymo of their dedication to public safety and transparent communication. It showcases the company's commitment to amend even rare software mistakes.

• Waymo's updated software aims to prevent a repeat of this scenario and reinforce the safety of its technology in unexpected road conditions.

Big picture: Waymo has accumulated over 10 million miles of fully autonomous driving and has conducted more than 1 million ride-hailing trips, emphasizing safety in their ongoing expansion to new cities.

• The company asserts that their autonomous vehicle technology has led to significantly fewer police-reported and injury-causing crashes compared to human drivers in the cities they operate.