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Video shows Waymo driverless vehicle stuck in 'AI loop' on flooded Phoenix street

A Waymo driverless taxi became stuck for more than 10 minutes in an "AI loop" on a flooded Phoenix street this month, hesitating and nearly backing into another car before drivers went around it, according to witness Roger Pelkey, who captured the incident on video. The episode follows Waymo's May suspension of driverless operations in Atlanta, San Antonio, Austin, Houston and Dallas over repeated floodwater incidents, and comes after Waymo expanded its fully autonomous ride-hailing service to Denver, San Diego and Tampa, bringing it to 14 cities. FOX Business said it reached out to Waymo for comment.

by read1 min views1 publishedSep 17, 2026
Video shows Waymo driverless vehicle stuck in 'AI loop' on flooded Phoenix street
Image: source

Video captured in Phoenix shows a Waymo driverless taxi hesitating on a flooded roadway and nearly backing into another car before getting stuck #

A Waymo vehicle struggled to navigate a flooded street in Phoenix this month, becoming stuck for more than 10 minutes in an "AI loop," according to witnesses.

The car was filmed as it hesitantly moved back and forth, at one point almost backing into another car.

WAYMO GETS REGULATORY APPROVAL TO SCALE UP ROBOTAXI SERVICE ACROSS CALIFORNIA, ENTER 2 NEW MARKETS

"There were actually two Waymos holding up traffic," said Roger Pelkey, who captured the incident on video. "The one further up finally made it through. This one was stuck in an AI loop and frustrating drivers."

The video shows the vehicle continually moving slightly forward before backing up, as other vehicles with human drivers went around.

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In May, Waymo suspended its driverless taxi operations across multiple cities — including Atlanta, San Antonio, Austin, Houston and Dallas — due to repeated incidents involving floodwaters.

The vehicles encountered severe weather and drove into submerged streets, with some becoming stranded or stuck in floodwaters.

Earlier this month, the company brought its driverless robotaxi service to Denver, San Diego and Tampa, expanding its fully autonomous ride-hailing service to 14 cities.

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FOX Business has reached out to Waymo for comment.

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