Waymo Recalls Fifth-Generation Robotaxis Due to Construction Zone Errors
Waymo 因施工區錯誤召回第五代自動駕駛出租車
Introduction
Waymo has started a voluntary software recall for about 3,871 robotaxis after several vehicles accidentally drove into closed highway construction zones.
在數輛車輛不慎駛入封閉的高速公路施工區後，Waymo 已開始對約 3,871 輛自動駕駛出租車進行自願性軟體召回。
Main Body
The recall affects vehicles using the fifth-generation Automated Driving System (ADS). According to reports filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the software failed to prioritize construction markers correctly. As a result, the vehicles either ignored the markers or focused too much on avoiding other hazards instead of staying out of closed areas. This led to thirteen incidents: six in Phoenix during April and seven in the San Francisco Bay Area during May.
此次召回影響使用第五代自動駕駛系統 (ADS) 的車輛。根據提交給美國國家公路交通安全管理局 (NHTSA) 的報告，軟體未能正確優先處理施工標誌。因此，車輛要麼忽略了標誌，要麼過於專注於避開其他危險而未能避開封閉區域。這導致了 13 起事故：4 月在鳳凰城發生 6 起，5 月在三藩市灣區發生 7 起。
This is the company's sixth recall, following previous problems such as hitting stationary objects, driving illegally around school buses, and struggling with flooded roads. Furthermore, Waymo has faced issues with blocking emergency services in Texas and causing traffic jams during power outages in San Francisco. These technical problems have occurred while the company is trying to expand quickly into new international markets, including London and Tokyo.
這是該公司的第六次召回，此前曾出現過撞擊靜止物件、非法繞過校車以及在淹水道路上行駛困難等問題。此外，Waymo 在德州還面臨阻礙緊急救援服務，以及在三藩市停電期間造成交通堵塞的問題。這些技術問題發生在公司正試圖快速擴展至倫敦和東京等新國際市場之際。
To address these errors, Waymo's safety boards ordered a stop to all freeway operations on May 19. The company emphasized that its autonomous systems have reduced serious injury crashes by thirteen times compared to human drivers. However, a permanent software fix is still being developed and will be installed remotely via over-the-air updates.
為了修正這些錯誤，Waymo 的安全委員會於 5 月 19 日下令停止所有高速公路運作。公司強調，與人類駕駛相比，其自動駕駛系統將嚴重受傷事故減少了 13 倍。然而，永久性的軟體修復方案仍在開發中，屆時將透過無線更新 (OTA) 遠端安裝。
Conclusion
Waymo continues to operate on city streets while it finishes the software updates needed to safely return to freeways.
在完成安全返回高速公路所需的軟體更新前，Waymo 將繼續在市區街道運作。
Vocabulary Learning
⚡ The 'Connection' Leap: Moving from Simple to Complex
At the A2 level, you likely use and, but, and because to connect your ideas. To reach B2, you need to use Transition Words that show a professional relationship between two facts.
Look at this sentence from the text:
*"Furthermore, Waymo has faced issues with blocking emergency services..."
🛠️ How it Works
Instead of saying "And also," the writer uses Furthermore. This is a "bridge word." It tells the reader: "I have already given you one problem, and now I am adding an even more important one to my list."
The Upgrade Path:
- A2 Style: Waymo had errors. They also blocked emergency services.
- B2 Style: Waymo had errors; furthermore, they blocked emergency services.
🧩 Other 'B2 Bridges' found in the text
| The Bridge Word | What it actually means | The A2 Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| As a result | "Because of the thing I just mentioned..." | So |
| However | "Wait, here is a surprising contrast..." | But |
🚀 Pro Tip for Fluency
Stop starting every sentence with the Subject (The company..., The cars...). Start your sentences with these bridge words followed by a comma:
However, As a result, Furthermore,
This instantly changes your rhythm from "Basic English" to "Academic English."