16.05.2026 23:10
In Atlanta, USA, dozens of empty autonomous vehicles circled the same neighborhood for hours, causing panic. After residents saw about 50 driverless cars stuck in a dead-end street, they blocked the roads with barriers. The company announced that the issue in the routing software, believed to be caused by an error in the navigation algorithm and sparking safety debates, has been resolved.
In Atlanta, USA, dozens of empty Waymo autonomous vehicles were seen circling a neighborhood for hours in the same area. Footage recorded by residents showed the driverless cars continuously looping around a dead-end street.
APPROXIMATELY 50 VEHICLES SPOTTED IN THE SAME AREA
In the incident around Battleview Drive in the Buckhead area specifically, some residents reported seeing about 50 Waymo vehicles passing through the same route in succession during the morning hours. The footage showed the cars sometimes struggling to navigate, with some repeatedly turning around at the same point.
RESIDENTS PLACED BARRIERS
According to a report by the New York Post, residents placed barriers and slow-down signs on the street to block the vehicles' passage. However, it was noted that some Waymo cars then became stuck in the area, unable to change direction. One resident said eight vehicles were locked in while trying to turn at the same time.
SUSPICION OF "ALGORITHMIC ROUTING"
While the cause of the incident is still unclear, initial assessments focus on the possibility that the vehicles were routed to the same path due to an error in their navigation and routing algorithms. Waymo stated in a statement that the "routing behavior has been corrected" and that the matter is under investigation.
SAFETY DEBATE INITIATED
Following the incident, families living in the area argued that the situation posed a safety risk, especially for children and pets. Some residents also claimed that the driverless cars were using the neighborhood as a de facto "waiting area."