Waymo defends use of remote assistance workers in robotaxi operations

WASHINGTON, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Alphabet self-driving unit Waymo ‌on Tuesday defended ‌its use of remote assistance ​personnel in the face of questions from Congress and said they have ‌never ⁠been used to move robotaxis in on-road ⁠operations.

Waymo told Senator Ed Markey in a ​letter that ​it ​has not ‌used remote driving or “tele-operations” to perform driving tasks. In rare circumstances, some U.S.-based personnel could prompt ‌a stopped ​AV to move ​forward ​at 2 miles ‌per hour for ​a ​short distance to exit the travel lane ​but ‌that has not happened ​outside of training.

(Reporting by ​David Shepardson)