Waymo defends remote assistants after viral Senate testimony
Feb 22nd 2026
Company tells Sen. Ed Markey its remote agents advise the automated driving system but do not drive, and says about 70 agents are on duty at any time split between the US and the Philippines.
- Waymo says about 70 remote assistance agents are on duty at any given time, roughly half in the US and half in the Philippines.
- The company states remote assistants provide advice only when requested by the automated driving system and do not control, steer, or drive vehicles.
- Waymo says typical remote sessions last only seconds and cover tasks like occupancy checks and suggesting paths around obstacles.
- Remote assistants in the Philippines are licensed drivers, English speakers, drug screened, and receive task specific training.
- Waymo declined to provide the number of invoked sessions on a per mile basis but said it keeps detailed records.
- The company faces heightened scrutiny after incidents including a red light run that Waymo attributed to an incorrect remote assistant prompt, and experts say independent oversight is needed.