You climb into the back seat of a Waymo, and as the doors close, you notice there’s no one in the driver’s seat. It’s an odd feeling for some, this realization that the car is entirely self-driven. And then, perhaps a nagging question arises: what if the computer that’s supposed to navigate suddenly malfunctions?
Waymo has provided a closer look at the sophisticated computing technology that operates within its driverless cars. According to the company, this system is designed to make quick decisions without needing to rely on remote data or a human driver.
Crucially, Waymo has integrated backup systems into its vehicles. Since there’s no human to take control, what occurs if the computer encounters a problem?
What happens if the Waymo computer fails?
Waymo explains that its state-of-the-art computing system functions like two separate engines. When driving under normal conditions, both systems can operate simultaneously. If one encounters a glitch, the other can seamlessly take over.
This setup ensures that if something goes wrong, there’s another electronic driver already on board instead of waiting for someone far away to step in. The company’s safety protocols indicate that if the primary system fails, a secondary onboard computer can safely halt the vehicle. To add another layer of security, there are backup braking systems and redundant steering mechanisms, along with separate power supplies for critical functions.
In any serious failure, the primary concern is controlling the vehicle and reaching a secure state—even if that means stopping and not completing the journey. This is an important point for any passenger to consider when it comes to using Waymo’s services.
Your Waymo makes driving decisions inside the vehicle
A Waymo gathers vast amounts of data while in motion. Cameras continuously send images to the onboard systems, while Lidar uses laser pulses to generate a precise representation of the surroundings. Radar plays its part, measuring the distance to objects and their speed. Waymo’s latest sensor system incorporates 13 cameras, as well as Lidar and radar.
The computer must quickly interpret this data to maneuver, brake, or respond to any objects that enter the road. Waymo emphasizes that all these driving decisions are processed entirely onboard. This is a critical point for people concerned whether the robotaxi needs to send its data to a distant data center before making any maneuver. It doesn’t—it handles everything in real time. Waymo claims to have boosted its computing power roughly twentyfold over the past eight years, which significantly reduces the time it takes to react to any changes.
Waymo built a custom chip to process what the car sees
Waymo has also introduced a new custom 5-nanometer ASIC—essentially a specialized chip designed for specific tasks within the vehicles instead of relying on a general-purpose processor.
This chip processes incoming sensor data from cameras, Lidar, and radar before relaying it to the driving system. Waymo asserts that this ASIC can perform over 1,000 TOPS—in technical terms, trillions of operations per second!
As impressive as that sounds, the underlying goal is clearer. Waymo aims for its vehicles to quickly recognize their surroundings and respond immediately. Notably, the system has the capability to analyze footage from 13 high-resolution cameras simultaneously, enhancing low-light detection.
A Waymo computer has more than one layer of backup
The redundancy in computing addresses only part of the challenge. Even if a backup computer functions flawlessly, the vehicle could still lose its regular braking components. Waymo has a secondary braking system designed to safely stop the car.
Steering mechanisms also incorporate backup hardware. Separate controllers and power supplies support the secondary steering system, ensuring that one failure doesn’t incapacitate essential driving functions. Over the years, Waymo has built these layers into their autonomous vehicles, having previously run tests on hardware malfunctions, power failures, and software issues. Their cars are designed to constantly monitor their own systems as they drive, a necessary precaution when no human driver is present.
Can someone at Waymo remotely take over the car?
This is a common misconception about self-driving robotaxis. There isn’t an employee waiting at a desk with a steering wheel ready to take over your Waymo.
While Waymo does have what they call Remote Assistance, this support is informational rather than operational. If a Waymo Driver faces an unusual scenario, it can reach out for additional context. The car then decides whether to use this new information.
Waymo clarifies that remote agents are not monitoring every vehicle continuously, and the automated system remains in charge of driving. So, if the onboard computer experiences a major fault, a remote worker doesn’t take over; autonomy must be maintained within the vehicle.
Could a Waymo still get stuck or make a mistake?
There have been instances worth noting; recall incidents, for example, where Waymo vehicles mistakenly entered closed construction zones. It highlights that while redundancy can mitigate risk associated with hardware, autonomous driving also relies heavily on perception and decision-making. Waymo continues improving its systems as its fleet expands.
According to its latest safety analysis, which includes over 220 million fully autonomous miles driven through early 2026, Waymo maintains that its cars have been involved in fewer serious or fatal crashes compared to human drivers within similar regions.
Why Waymo needs so much computing power
A fully autonomous vehicle bears a significantly different responsibility compared to the driver-assist tech many people are used to. Your car might alert you to vehicles in your blind spot or help keep you centered in your lane, but you’re ultimately the one in control.
In contrast, a Waymo operates entirely independently where no one can take the wheel. This elevates the engineering challenge. The system must have the capability to accurately understand its environment almost instantaneously while enduring the rigors of daily driving conditions—think vibrations and temperature changes.
Waymo notes that its computing components are integrated with a liquid-cooling system to maintain performance across extreme conditions. Essentially, the computer works in one of the harshest environments imaginable, handling crucial decisions that affect everyone around it.
How to stay prepared during a Waymo ride
If you’re considering your first Waymo ride or have already tried one, it’s still good to know what steps to take in case you need assistance or if the vehicle stops unexpectedly.
- Know how to contact Rider Support: You can reach out through the passenger screen or the Waymo app at any time during your ride.
- Know how to end your ride: If you want to pull over early, select the “Pull over” option in the app or screen. Waymo will try to find a safe spot to stop.
- Stay buckled if the vehicle halts unexpectedly: Waymo advises keeping seat belts fastened while Support figures out the next steps, unless there’s a pressing reason to exit.
- Refrain from touching the controls: If the car has an issue, it’s best not to interact with the steering wheel or pedals. Waymo states that Support will reach out and can send assistance if needed.
- Call 911 if safety is compromised: You can use your phone or the emergency option in the Waymo app. The passenger screen can provide immediate help and lock the doors.
What this means to you
If you’re contemplating your first Waymo journey, the absence of a driver might seem unsettling at first. However, this new information from Waymo indicates that they have taken measures to ensure that backups are incorporated into the technology itself. If one system encounters a fault, another is prepared to take over, and various backup systems are in place for essential operations like deceleration or steering. This might help some feel more at ease about stepping into the back seat.
Still, one must remember that redundancy doesn’t equal perfection. Having a second computer helps mitigate risks from certain hardware failures, but it doesn’t ensure that every unexpected scenario will be handled smoothly. If a Waymo faces difficulties during your ride, knowing that Rider Support is accessible through the app or from inside the vehicle can offer an added layer of comfort. Personally, understanding how the backup systems function does make that empty driver’s seat seem less daunting.
Kurt’s key takeaways
While the impressive specs and custom chips stand out, what interests me most is how the car handles problems. If I’m seated in a vehicle without a driver, I need to know that there’s a secondary system in place before the first one fails. Waymo’s method of employing redundant computing alongside backup controls clarifies their approach to this issue. However, that shouldn’t stop us from scrutinizing autonomous vehicles. Redundancies can shield against hardware failures, but real-world driving involves unpredictable factors such as construction zones and erratic drivers. As robotaxis become more common, we need more insights into how they perform in real situations. Waymo sharing details about its technology is a step forward, but we must keep our eyes open to its road performance.
Would knowing that there’s a second computer and backup for braking make you feel more inclined to try a driverless Waymo, or would you still prefer a human at the wheel if something goes awry? Share your thoughts with us!
