ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A widely shared video of a driverless Waymo vehicle stopped on a narrow, one-lane road near Universal Orlando is prompting renewed questions about how the autonomous ride-hailing service responds when its cars encounter problems along Central Florida streets.
The footage has been viewed more than 800,000 times. It shows the Waymo stopped in the roadway while vehicles behind it appear unable to get past. Repeated honking can be heard in the background.
A man eventually approaches the vehicle and seems to attempt a conversation with someone inside. However, Waymo cars are designed to operate without a human driver sitting behind the wheel.
The video does not explain why the autonomous vehicle stopped, nor does it show what allowed it to resume its trip.
This is not the first Waymo incident to attract attention on roads in the Central Florida area.
Earlier this month, News 6 covered another viral clip involving a Waymo near Kirkman Road and Carrier Drive. The footage appeared to show the vehicle becoming stuck, then proceeding through an intersection and moving into another lane while the traffic signal was red.
The latest video surfaced as Waymo announced Tuesday that it was enlarging its Orlando service zone. The company said the expansion adds 53 square miles, increasing its total local coverage to 120 square miles. The newly included destinations include the Orlando Science Center, Orlando City Hall and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
News 6 contacted Waymo to ask what caused the stop near Universal Orlando, how the vehicle began moving again and what riders should do if their trip unexpectedly comes to a halt. The news station also asked how quickly assistance can reach passengers in such circumstances.
News 6 separately sought answers from Waymo about the Kirkman Road and Carrier Drive video, including what steps the company can take to protect riders during similar situations.
Waymo has not responded to the questions. News 6 said it will update the story if the company provides additional information.
