Waymo, the self-driving division of Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG), said Tuesday that its remote workers have not been used to directly control its robotaxis in U.S. service, as questions mount over the company’s reliance on overseas personnel.
In a blog post, Waymo stated that about 70 “remote assistance agents” are on shift globally at any given time. These workers are certified to handle responsibilities such as liaising with emergency responders, but are not tasked with actively driving vehicles.
In correspondence addressed to Senator Edward Markey, the company wrote that its agents “provide advice and support to the Waymo Driver but do not directly control, steer, or drive the vehicle.”
Waymo acknowledged that in rare instances, remote staff could step in to reposition vehicles over short distances, although it noted that this has not occurred outside of training scenarios.
The company also clarified that a specialized group of remote employees dedicated to more “complex, emergent tasks–” known as its Event Response Team, operates solely from within the United States. Waymo currently maintains four operational hubs—in Arizona, Michigan, and two locations in the Philippines—to support its autonomous fleet.
Markey had expressed concerns in a February 3 letter, arguing that Waymo had provided limited detail about its remote operations policies and calling for stronger assurances regarding safety.
Representative Buddy Carter has similarly questioned the company’s use of overseas personnel and on Tuesday urged the Department of Transportation to examine Waymo’s remote workforce practices.
Waymo is the largest robotaxi provider in the United States, deploying more than 2,500 fully autonomous vehicles across several major metropolitan areas.
The company has come under intensified scrutiny since one of its driverless vehicles struck a child outside an elementary school in Santa Monica, California, in late January.