What happens if the Waymo computer fails?

Waymo says its newest onboard computing system is designed to keep a driverless car safe even if it fails—without needing a distant remote operator. The company describes two independent computing systems running in parallel during normal driving. If one develops a fault, the other can take over, effectively providing an “electronic driver” already inside the vehicle. Waymo’s broader safety approach also includes a secondary onboard computer that can bring the vehicle to a safe stop if the primary system fails, plus backup braking and redundant steering hardware, supported by separate power sources. The goal is to maintain control and reach a safe state, possibly by stopping.