Waymo Says It Never Remotely Drove U.S. Robotaxis, Cites 70 Agents
Waymo told Congress its robotaxis have never been remotely driven on U.S. roads and its tele-operations agents do not steer or drive vehicles. The unit runs four remote assistance centers in Arizona, Michigan and two Philippine cities with about 70 agents providing sub-second guidance while onboard systems retain control.
1. Congressional Inquiry
Senators Ed Markey and Buddy Carter questioned Waymo about its use of remote operations and potential national security risks tied to overseas support staff. Lawmakers sought clarity on whether tele-operations influence vehicle control on public roads.
2. Waymo’s Tele-Operations Clarification
Waymo stated it has never used tele-operations to directly steer or drive robotaxis on U.S. roads, explaining that remote agents only offer guidance when the automated system requests assistance. The onboard driving system remains the primary decision-maker in all on-road scenarios.
3. Remote Assistance Centers
The company operates four assistance centers—one each in Arizona and Michigan plus two in the Philippines—with roughly 70 agents on duty at any time. These agents respond to ambiguous situations within seconds but lack authority to override the vehicle’s safety protocols.
4. Potential Regulatory Implications
Congressional scrutiny could prompt a Transportation Department review of overseas operations and data access. Any regulatory action on tele-operations or offshore staffing may affect Waymo’s rollout timelines and overall operational costs.