Waymo driverless taxi blocked by men demanding passenger's number
A woman using a Waymo driverless taxi in San Francisco was trapped when two men blocked the vehicle and demanded her phone number. The autonomous car stalled, and the men persisted despite her protests. Waymo's rider support contacted her during the incident and followed up afterwards. The passenger described the experience as terrifying and warned others to be careful when riding alone.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo
8 source articles · read the reporting →
Waymo Issues Voluntary Recall After Self-Driving Cars Illegally Pass School Buses
Waymo's self-driving vehicles illegally passed stopped school buses in Austin, Texas, on at least 19 occasions, including one where a student was still in the road. The Austin Independent School District reported the violations, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation. Waymo issued a voluntary software recall and claimed a November 2025 update fixed the issue, but the school district alleges at least five further violations occurred after the update. The recall does not remove vehicles from the road; Waymo will push further software fixes.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- 5th Generation Automated Driving System
3 source articles · read the reporting →
Austin council demands Waymo meeting after cars blocked first responders
Austin City Council member Zo Qadri and colleagues sent a letter to Waymo after a March 1 autonomous vehicle allegedly stopped on a street near a mass shooting, requiring an officer to move it. The city wants to discuss emergency-response procedures at a joint committee meeting on April 29. Waymo had not responded to the letter as of the interview, and the council member expressed frustration that the city lacks authority to regulate autonomous vehicles on its streets.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo Driver
4 source articles · read the reporting →
Waymo robotaxi and Serve delivery robot collide in Los Angeles
On December 27, 2024, a Waymo robotaxi and a Serve Robotics sidewalk delivery robot collided at an intersection in West Hollywood, Los Angeles. The Waymo vehicle was making a right turn when the Serve bot, under remote supervision, moved into the turning lane. The Waymo Driver system classified the bot as an inanimate object and applied hard braking, but made contact at 4 mph. Neither vehicle was damaged, and both companies stated they are working to avoid similar incidents in the future.
- Company involved
- Waymo and Serve Robotics
- AI system involved
- Waymo Driver and Serve delivery robot
1 source article · read the reporting →
Cruise robotaxi drags woman 20 feet, company pays over $8M settlement
On October 2, 2023, a Cruise robotaxi in downtown San Francisco struck and dragged a woman 20 feet after she was hit by a human driver. The autonomous vehicle attempted to pull over while the pedestrian was trapped underneath, causing life-threatening injuries. Cruise later paid a settlement of between $8 million and $12 million to the victim. The California DMV suspended Cruise's driverless permits after the company failed to show regulators complete footage of the incident.
- Company involved
- Cruise
4 source articles · read the reporting →
Waymo passengers felt trapped during pedestrian attack in San Francisco
A couple riding in a Waymo driverless car in San Francisco felt trapped when a pedestrian attempted to cover the vehicle's sensors. The passengers contacted Waymo support and were advised to remain inside the vehicle. The pedestrian eventually walked away, and the passengers were unharmed. Waymo stated that remaining inside is often the safest course of action during such an event.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo Driver
1 source article · read the reporting →
Waymo recalls robotaxi software after crash into telephone pole
On May 21, 2024, a Waymo autonomous vehicle crashed into a telephone pole in Phoenix, Arizona, while driving to a passenger pickup location. The vehicle was damaged but no one was injured. Waymo issued a voluntary recall and updated the software and mapping for its entire fleet of 672 vehicles to correct an error that assigned a low damage score to the pole and to improve the map.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo autonomous vehicle
6 source articles · read the reporting →
Waymo sued after robotaxi doors cyclist in San Francisco bike lane
Jenifer Hanki, 26, was cycling in a marked bike lane in San Francisco when a Waymo robotaxi pulled over and a passenger opened a door into her path, causing a collision. She alleges the vehicle's Safe Exit system failed to warn of her approach, and she suffered brain and spine injuries. Hanki has sued Waymo and Alphabet for negligence, battery, and emotional distress, and the case is pending in San Francisco County Superior Court. Waymo did not comment on the lawsuit but pointed to its overall safety record.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo
1 source article · read the reporting →
Cruise driverless cars stall in San Francisco, blocking traffic after Outside Lands festival
As many as 10 Cruise autonomous vehicles became immobilized on Grant Avenue in North Beach on Friday night due to wireless connectivity issues caused by the Outside Lands music festival. The cars blocked traffic, and officials noted that emergency vehicles would not have been able to pass. Cruise apologised and said it is investigating solutions. The incident occurred a day after the California Public Utilities Commission approved expanded robotaxi operations in the city.
- Company involved
- Cruise
- AI system involved
- Cruise driverless cars
1 source article · read the reporting →
Uber suspends autonomous tests after Arizona crash
Uber suspended its self-driving car tests in Arizona and paused operations in Pittsburgh after one of its autonomous Volvo SUVs was involved in a high-impact crash in Tempe, Arizona. The crash occurred when another vehicle failed to yield, causing the Uber car to flip on its side. No injuries were reported, and the Uber vehicle was not at fault. Uber is investigating the incident.
- Company involved
- Uber Technologies Inc.
8 source articles · read the reporting →
Waymo recalls 3,500 robotaxis after vehicle enters flooded Texas road
On April 20, 2026, an unoccupied Waymo robotaxi entered a flooded road in San Antonio, Texas, during severe weather. No injuries occurred, but the incident prompted Waymo to issue a voluntary recall of up to 3,791 vehicles due to software that could allow the cars to drive onto flooded roads. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published recall documents, and Waymo stated it is implementing additional software safeguards and has restricted operations in extreme weather. The fix is still under development.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo autonomous driving system
4 source articles · read the reporting →
Armed teenagers were travelling in a Waymo robotaxi – the car stopped of its own accord and called the police…
The robotaxi stopped and contacted emergency services after detecting passengers with weapons, resulting in police detaining two minors.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo robotaxi
1 source article · read the reporting →
Waymo rider trapped in robotaxi during vandalism attack in San Francisco
In May 2026, Sherman Watson was riding in a Waymo robotaxi in San Francisco when two men attacked the vehicle, smashing the windshield. The car stopped and remained stationary, trapping Watson inside for about 10 minutes while he feared for his life. Waymo's remote assistant called police but could not move the car. Watson later sought therapy and requested video footage from Waymo, which the company has not provided, citing the need for a police search warrant.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo robotaxi
1 source article · read the reporting →
Waymo vehicle catches fire after driving over firework in San Francisco
On 4 July 2026, an unoccupied Waymo robotaxi caught fire in San Francisco after driving over a lit firework. No injuries were reported. The incident occurred amid widespread traffic congestion, with multiple Waymo vehicles becoming disabled and blocking roads. Waymo coordinated with the fire department to remove the vehicle and said it was evaluating ways to improve resilience during major disruptions.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo
1 source article · read the reporting →
Waymo passenger flees robotaxi stuck on Phoenix light rail tracks
A Waymo self-driving car mistakenly drove onto light rail tracks in Phoenix, forcing a passenger to flee the vehicle. The incident occurred near moving trains before the car continued along the tracks. Valley Metro confirmed it was notified and responded, and Waymo was contacted.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo
1 source article · read the reporting →
Waymo self-driving taxi blocks road after confusion with traffic cones
A Waymo self-driving taxi in Phoenix, Arizona, became confused by traffic cones closing a lane and stopped, blocking the road. The vehicle repeatedly drove away from roadside assistance dispatched to help, before a human driver took over. Waymo acknowledged the incident, stating that its remote guidance team provided incorrect instructions and that it has since improved its operational process. The passenger, who documented the event, said such mistakes are rare.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo Driver
3 source articles · read the reporting →
Man gets stuck in trunk of Waymo robotaxi in Los Angeles
A man jumped into the open trunk of a Waymo robotaxi in Los Angeles and became trapped. The next passenger discovered him upon the vehicle's arrival, and police removed the man. Waymo acknowledged the incident was unacceptable and said it is implementing changes to prevent similar occurrences. The event was captured on video and shared widely on social media.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo robotaxi
1 source article · read the reporting →
Hellobike self-driving car injures two pedestrians in Zhuzhou
In June 2025, a Hellobike autonomous taxi in Zhuzhou, Hunan, veered off course and struck two pedestrians crossing the road, causing serious injuries. The company suspended its autonomous driving operations in Zhuzhou and Liyang following the crash. Reports suggest the vehicle may have lacked sufficient underside sensors, leading to detection failures. The incident is believed to be the first publicly known injury-causing crash involving a robotaxi in China.
- Company involved
- 哈啰
- AI system involved
- 哈啰自动驾驶 Robotaxi
4 source articles · read the reporting →
San Francisco residents lose sleep over Waymo cars honking at night
Residents of San Francisco's South of Market neighbourhood report being repeatedly woken up by driverless Waymo vehicles honking at each other in a nearby parking lot, particularly around 4 a.m. The cars appear to honk while manoeuvring into spaces in between rides. Waymo says it has identified the cause and is working on a fix.
- Company involved
- Waymo
2 source articles · read the reporting →
Cruise autonomous vehicle briefly evades police traffic stop
On April 2, 2022, a driverless Cruise taxi in San Francisco was pulled over by police for driving without headlights. The vehicle initially drove away before stopping at a safe location, confusing officers. Cruise stated the car yielded as programmed and no citation was issued. The incident highlights challenges of autonomous vehicles interacting with law enforcement.
- Company involved
- Cruise
5 source articles · read the reporting →
California threatens legal action against Uber over self-driving cars without permit
Uber launched a pilot program of self-driving taxis in San Francisco without obtaining a required permit from the California DMV. Two of the vehicles were observed running red lights on the first day. The California attorney general threatened legal action unless Uber removes the cars from the road. Uber argued that its cars are not fully autonomous and therefore not subject to the permit requirement.
- Company involved
- Uber
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Google self-driving car hits bus in first crash in which it was at fault
On 14 February 2016, a Google self-driving car sideswiped a public bus in Mountain View, California, in the first crash in which one of Google's autonomous vehicles was considered at fault. Google said the vehicle had tried to move around sandbags and struck the bus, and that the company bore some responsibility. No injuries were reported. Google said it had updated the vehicle's software to account for buses and other large vehicles.
- Company involved
- Google
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Cruise robotaxi hits San Francisco fire truck, one injured
A Cruise self-driving car collided with a San Francisco Fire Department truck that was responding to an emergency. The incident occurred on August 17, 2023, in the Tenderloin district. One passenger sustained non-severe injuries and was taken to hospital. Cruise acknowledged the crash and offered support to the rider.
- Company involved
- Cruise
- AI system involved
- Cruise self-driving car
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Toyota pauses self-driving bus service after hitting visually impaired athlete at Paralympics
Toyota suspended its e-Palette autonomous shuttle service at the Tokyo Paralympics after one of the vehicles struck Aramitsu Kitazono, a visually impaired judoka, while he was crossing a pedestrian crossing in the athletes' village. Kitazono suffered cuts and bruises and was unable to compete. Toyota's president apologized and admitted overconfidence in the technology, and the company is investigating the incident.
- Company involved
- Toyota
- AI system involved
- e-Palette
10 source articles · read the reporting →
