Waymo's driverless cars aren't quite ready for Atlanta weather. At least two of the company's autonomous robotaxis drove into flooded streets Wednesday evening as storms pounded midtown, prompting Waymo to pause service citywide.
Video captured one Waymo vehicle attempting to navigate rising floodwaters on North Avenue near Peachtree Street. The car eventually became stuck as water levels rose, joining dozens of human-driven vehicles stranded by the flash flooding.
A journalist riding in another Waymo documented the experience as the car drove into standing water. The company confirmed it suspended service "due to weather" but did not immediately explain how its vehicles ended up in the floods or what sensors failed to detect the road conditions.
"Waymo paused service due to weather," a company spokesperson said in a statement. The service resumed Thursday morning as conditions improved.
The incident highlights the challenges autonomous vehicle companies face in unpredictable conditions. While Waymo's cars have logged millions of miles in controlled environments, Atlanta's sudden summer storms present edge cases that can overwhelm sensors and mapping systems.
Waymo launched its Atlanta service in 2025 and has been gradually expanding coverage across midtown, downtown, and Buckhead. Wednesday's floods may prompt a review of how the vehicles respond to severe weather alerts.