US robotaxi company Waymo has revealed that some of its robotaxis in the US rely on remote operators based in the Philippines.
The admission came during a US Senate hearing, where Chief Safety Officer Mauricio Peña explained that these operators provide guidance when the autonomous system encounters tricky situations.
However, he stressed that the vehicles remain self-driving, with remote staff only offering limited support.
The disclosure sparked concern among US lawmakers. Questions were raised about cybersecurity risks, operator training, and the outsourcing of jobs once tied to US drivers.
Waymo’s robotaxi program has faced scrutiny after recent incidents. In January, one vehicle struck a child near a school in Santa Monica, which prompted the federal investigation. Another car was stranded on light rail tracks in Phoenix, forcing a passenger to exit before a train collided with the vehicle.
Tesla is also expanding its robotaxi fleet. The company said its system has multiple layers of security and does not allow external operators to take control. It has already removed safety drivers in some areas since launching in Austin in 2025.
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Waymo’s admission shows that human oversight is still part of the equation for self-driving cars. Even with advances in robots and AI, companies still need people to step in when systems fall short.
What do you think? Should tech firms disclose these kinds of details? Stay tuned.
Featured image: Waymo
