--- title: "Waymo Recalls Robotaxis to Give Telephone Poles a Higher ‘Damage Score’" description: "Waymo is updating its self-driving fleet's \"damage scoring\" after one of its unoccupied Jaguar I-Pace EVs self-drove into a telephone pole." date: "2024-06-12" modified: "2024-06-12" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/tech/waymo-recalls-robotaxis-to-give-telephone-poles-a-higher-damage-score" categories: - "Car Tech" - "News" - "Self-Driving Tech" tags: - "Electric Vehicle" - "I-Pace" - "Jaguar" - "suv/crossover" --- # Waymo Recalls Robotaxis to Give Telephone Poles a Higher ‘Damage Score’ ![Authorities stand by a Waymo vehicle that has crashed into a telephone pole.]() *\12News via YouTube\* [Waymo]() is updating its self-driving fleet's "damage scoring" after one of its unoccupied [Jaguar I-Pace]() EVs self-drove into a telephone pole. Looks like the cars didn't consider those particular objects enough of a threat to avoid them. Waymo issued a voluntary recall to rectify the situation, but the concept of damage scores assigned to various obstructions is nevertheless funny and unsettling at the same time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAZP-RNSr0s According to *[The Verge]()*, the Waymo taxi was driving down a narrow alley, on its way to pick up a passenger. The alley was lined with street-level telephone poles placed within yellow lines, and the driverless I-Pace crashed into one while trying to pull over. The would-be passenger didn't see the crash but did hear it, according to *[12News]()*. ![]() **News12** Following the crash, Waymo updated all 672 vehicles in its fleet, to upgrade telephone poles to a higher damage score. This update is reportedly done in person, at the company's shop by its engineers, rather than with an over-the-air update. Waymo then filed the voluntary recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). “We have already deployed mapping and software updates across our entire fleet, and this does not impact our current operations,” said Waymo spokesperson Katherine Barna, in a recent statement. “As we serve more riders in more cities, we will continue our safety first approach, working to earn trust with our riders, community members, regulators, and policymakers.” Thankfully, the issue seems to have been solved already and no one was hurt in this Jaguar-versus-pole collision. The NHTSA had already opened an investigation into Waymo last month, after a [run of 22 different incidents]() involving its self-driving vehicles. At least the Google-backed company is acting responsibly and not only fixing issues as they arise but reporting them (as well as the solutions implemented) to the authorities. Personally, I'd love to see what other potentially crash-worthy objects have low damage scores, given that we now know Waymo robotaxis don't flinch at the sight of telephone poles. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()