Is Waymo in Trouble? School Bus Scandal & Robotaxi Impact
The future promised by autonomous vehicles has always been tantalizingly close — self-driving cars whisking passengers safely to their destinations while eliminating human error from our roads. However, it appears that we have a way to go before this becomes the norm. Based on recent events involving Waymo, the undisputed leader in the robotaxi space, legislators have hit the brakes on that vision. waymo-school-bus-scandal In January 2026 , the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) opened a formal investigation into Waymo after its robotaxis were caught illegally passing stopped school buses more than 20 times across multiple states. The incidents primarily occurred in Austin, Texas. These incidents represent more than just traffic violations; they are a clear sign of diminished safety, posing a risk to pedestrians as well as vehicle occupants. Over the last year these incidents have spurred...