Waymo’s ‘Self-Driving’ Tech Challenged Over Remote Helpers

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Waymo’s ‘Self-Driving’ Tech Questioned Over Overseas Remote Guides

Written by Aaron S.,

Editor-In-Chief

Last Updated: February 06, 2026

Key Takeaways

Senators raised doubts about Waymo’s “self-driving” label after learning that remote workers guide cars in difficult road situations;
Waymo said remote staff only give instructions and the software keeps control, but lawmakers questioned the clarity of this division of responsibility;
Concerns grew after confirmation of support teams in the Philippines, as lawmakers feared safety gaps, delayed data, and added cybersecurity risks.

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Waymo’s ‘Self-Driving’ Tech Questioned Over Overseas Remote Guides

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Waymo’s description of its cars as “self-driving” faced new challenges in Washington on February 4.

A senior company official told senators that people stationed outside the United States help guide vehicles when they cannot navigate certain road situations on their own.

During a hearing before the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Waymo Chief Safety Officer Mauricio Peña said the company uses remote workers to provide guidance when a vehicle encounters a situation it cannot resolve.

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Peña said these workers do not control the cars from afar. He explained that they only give instructions, while the software remains responsible for driving and making decisions on the road.

Senator Edward Markey did not find this answer convincing. He asked if all remote support staff are based in the United States. Peña said they are not, and he later confirmed that some work in the Philippines.

Markey said that involving overseas workers weakens the idea of full autonomy and may create safety and cybersecurity concerns.

He noted that remote staff might receive information too late to be useful, and that transferring data across borders could introduce technical risks.

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