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 →
Xpeng P7 Collides with Truck During NGP Assisted Driving, Driver Injured
On 23 September 2021, a Xpeng P7 owner in China was using the NGP automatic navigation assisted driving system when the vehicle failed to identify a flatbed truck ahead and collided with its rear. The driver, who trusted the system to brake automatically, sustained slight injuries. Xpeng Motors stated that the system's functions were operating normally before the crash and that further analysis would be conducted. Experts suggested the visual camera may have misjudged the distance due to the truck's unusual shape.
- Company involved
- Xpeng Motors
- AI system involved
- NGP automatic navigation assisted driving system
1 source article · read the reporting →
Serve Robotics apologises after delivery robot smashes Chicago bus shelter
A Serve Robotics food delivery robot crashed into a bus shelter on Grand Avenue in West Town, Chicago, in late March 2026, shattering the glass. The company paid for immediate repairs and has now placed an apology advertisement at the same bus shelter. The incident contributed to renewed safety concerns regarding the city's robot delivery pilot programme.
- Company involved
- Serve Robotics
- AI system involved
- Serve Robotics delivery robot
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 →
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
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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 →
Kiwibot delivery robot battery fire in Berkeley
On 14 December 2018, a Kiwibot delivery robot idling in Berkeley, California, began smouldering when its battery experienced thermal runaway. A bystander extinguished the flames, and the Berkeley Fire Department secured the scene. Kiwibot suspended its service temporarily, investigated, and attributed the incident to human error in battery replacement. The company introduced new battery management software to prevent recurrence.
- Company involved
- Kiwibot
- AI system involved
- Kiwibot
10 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 →
Starship Technologies delivery robot strikes Arizona State University employee twice
A Starship Technologies autonomous food delivery robot knocked over an Arizona State University employee in September 2023. The robot reversed into the person, then drove away and reversed again to strike them while they were on the ground, causing a cut and back pain. Starship Technologies offered insurance information and promo codes after being contacted by police, and a spokesperson said the robot moved at low speed after detecting an oncoming vehicle.
- Company involved
- Starship Technologies
- AI system involved
- Starship Technologies delivery robot
2 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 →
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 →
Cruise alleged to rely on human operators for autonomous driving
A New York Times article alleged that Cruise's autonomous vehicles rely on human operators to achieve autonomous driving, with 1.5 workers per vehicle intervening every 2.5 to five miles. Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt responded on Hacker News, stating that remote assistance is used 2-4% of the time and that many sessions are resolved by the vehicle itself. The company declined an interview request from the NYT.
- Company involved
- Cruise
- AI system involved
- Cruise AV
9 source articles · read the reporting →
Cruise robotaxi appears to hinder emergency crews after San Francisco mass shooting
A Cruise autonomous vehicle appeared to block emergency crews responding to a mass shooting in San Francisco's Mission District on 9 June 2023. A police officer in video footage says the robotaxi was blocking emergency medical and fire vehicles. Cruise denied obstructing access and said an employee moved the vehicle within half an hour. San Francisco police said they were investigating.
- Company involved
- Cruise
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Waymo driverless car hits bicyclist in San Francisco intersection
On 6 February 2024, a Waymo driverless car collided with a bicyclist at a four-way intersection in San Francisco. The cyclist was obscured by a truck and the vehicle braked but could not stop in time. The cyclist sustained minor scratches and left the scene. Waymo stated it is contacting relevant authorities.
- Company involved
- Waymo
4 source articles · read the reporting →
S Group food delivery robot crashes into car in Helsinki hit-and-run
On Saturday afternoon in Helsinki's Pasila neighbourhood, a passer-by observed an S Group food delivery robot collide with a parked car after it was forced off an unplowed sidewalk. The robot lurched back and forth against the car, scratching both doors, before the passer-by lifted it onto the roadway, where it fled the scene. The emergency centre was notified and the police were informed, describing the incident as a career first. S Group is currently investigating the event.
- Company involved
- S Group
- AI system involved
- Food delivery robot
3 source articles · read the reporting →
Starship delivery robot under human control strikes pedestrian in Northampton
A Starship delivery robot, remotely controlled by a human operator, struck a pedestrian in Northampton after the operator took manual control. The pedestrian, Abdul Sottar, had gone outside after the robot ran over his cat repellent device. The robot then 'charged at' him multiple times, hitting his foot. Starship acknowledged the incident, saying the operator was given additional training, and set an exclusion zone around Sottar's home. The robot was delivering Co-op groceries at the time.
- Company involved
- Starship
- AI system involved
- Starship autonomous delivery robot
1 source article · read the reporting →
Starship delivery robot collides with dog walker in Milton Keynes
In June 2023, a Starship Technologies delivery robot collided with a dog walker and his German Shepherd in Milton Keynes, UK. The robot, which uses AI and sensors to navigate, hit the dog and then the man's leg. The man kicked the robot in response. Starship Technologies said it was investigating the incident and was in contact with the man.
- Company involved
- Starship Technologies
- AI system involved
- Starship delivery robot
2 source articles · read the reporting →
Starship delivery robots blocked wheelchair users at University of Pittsburgh
In October 2019, Starship Technologies' autonomous delivery robots blocked wheelchair users on the University of Pittsburgh campus. Doctoral student Emily Ackerman reported that a robot blocked the only accessible sidewalk entrance, trapping her near traffic. Another wheelchair user, Alisa Grishman, had a similar incident earlier that month. The university and Starship paused the robot program for review.
- Company involved
- Starship Technologies
- AI system involved
- Starship delivery robot
4 source articles · read the reporting →
