Where automated decisions went wrong

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 →

Tesla's Full Self-Driving involved in fatal Bay Bridge crash

On Thanksgiving 2022, a Tesla vehicle using its Full Self-Driving feature was involved in a fatal accident on the San Francisco Bay Bridge. Footage published by The Intercept showed the system braking abruptly. The incident highlights safety concerns with autonomous driving technology.

Company involved

Tesla

AI system involved

Full Self-Driving

7 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 →

Driver relying on "smart driving" on highway crashes after system suddenly disengages near truck

司机依赖“智驾 ”跑高速，逼近大货车时“智驾”突然退出引发车祸 - 手机新浪网

A driver was using a smart driving system on an expressway. As the vehicle approached a large truck, the system unexpectedly disengaged, leading to a crash.

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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 →

Cruise Robotaxis Blamed for Delaying Ambulance in San Francisco Man's Death

In August 2023, a homeless man named Sammy Davis was fatally struck by a city bus in San Francisco. Emergency responders alleged that two Cruise robotaxis blocked their ambulance, delaying transport. City officials later clarified that Cruise was not at fault for the death, and the man had been hit by a bus. Cruise denied any responsibility, stating the delay was only 90 seconds.

Company involved

Cruise

AI system involved

Cruise robotaxi

2 source articles · read the reporting →

Hello robotaxi crash injures pedestrians in Zhuzhou, China

A Hello Inc. robotaxi struck and injured two pedestrians in Zhuzhou, China, on or around December 5, 2025. Footage showed bystanders and police lifting the vehicle to free a person trapped underneath. Hello has suspended autonomous-driving operations in Zhuzhou. Local police have not yet determined fault, and Hello has not commented. The crash follows a prior incident where a Hello robotaxi allegedly failed to stop after a collision.

Company involved

Hello Inc.

AI system involved

Hello Autonomous Driving

3 source articles · read the reporting →

Zoox recalls 332 robotaxis after self-driving cars veer into oncoming traffic

Zoox, Amazon's self-driving car company, recalled 332 robotaxis after they were found veering into oncoming traffic near intersections. The issue was first noticed in August 2025 when a car took a wide right turn crossing the center line. Zoox said no crashes or injuries occurred and fixed the problem with a software update. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirmed the recall and is in ongoing discussions with Zoox.

Company involved

Zoox

AI system involved

Zoox robotaxis

6 source articles · read the reporting →

NHTSA investigation PE24016: Unexpected ADS behavior

Waymo's automated driving system exhibited unexpected behavior during driving.

Company involved

Waymo

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Tesla Cybertruck owner sues over FSD crash in Houston overpass

Justine Saint Amour is suing Tesla after her Cybertruck, with Full Self-Driving engaged, crashed into a concrete barrier on a Houston overpass on August 18, 2025. The lawsuit alleges that Tesla was negligent in hiring and retaining Elon Musk as CEO, and that the FSD system was defective due to lack of LiDAR and ineffective automatic emergency braking. Saint Amour seeks over $1 million in damages.

Company involved

Tesla

AI system involved

Full Self-Driving (FSD)

3 source articles · read the reporting →

Cruise Self-Driving Car Rear-Ended by Human-Driven Cruise Vehicle in San Francisco

On 11 June 2018, a self-driving Cruise Chevrolet Bolt was rear-ended by another Cruise vehicle driven by a human employee on Bryant Street in San Francisco. The collision caused only minor scuffs and no injuries. Cruise reported the incident to the California DMV as required. The incident highlights the challenges of autonomous vehicles interacting with human drivers.

Company involved

Cruise

2 source articles · read the reporting →

Starship delivery robot drives into planter and down stairs at UCLA

A Starship Technologies delivery robot operating autonomously at UCLA fell into a planter after its wheels slipped off a path edge. Bystanders pulled it free, but the robot turned back towards the planter before being pushed clear. A remote human operator then took control, but the robot subsequently drove down a flight of stairs and later struck a scooter due to a sensor blind spot.

Company involved

Starship Technologies

2 source articles · read the reporting →

Google and Delphi Self-Driving Cars Involved in Minor Accidents in California

Four self-driving cars in California have been involved in accidents since September 2014, when the state began issuing testing permits. Two occurred while the cars were in autonomous mode, and two while a human was driving. Google and Delphi, the companies operating the vehicles, stated that their cars were not at fault and that the collisions were minor, with no injuries. The accidents have raised concerns about transparency, as details are kept confidential under state law.

Company involved

Google Inc. and Delphi Automotive

10 source articles · read the reporting →

Beep automated bus rear-ended by Tesla in Washington D.C.

An automated bus operated by Beep was rear-ended by a Tesla driver making an illegal lane change in Washington D.C. on 18 January 2026. The bus, part of a pilot programme with the U.S. Department of Transportation, had a human backup driver and sustained minor cosmetic damage. Service was temporarily paused but resumed after a review found the bus operated appropriately. No police were called and the incident was not reported to NHTSA as the damage was under $1,000 and the other driver was at fault.

Company involved

Beep

AI system involved

Beep automated bus

2 source articles · read the reporting →

San Francisco officials complain of robotaxi interference with emergency responders

San Francisco's fire chief and police union have complained that Waymo and Cruise robotaxis are interfering with emergency responders, including driving into active scenes and blocking fire trucks. The fire chief says it is only a matter of time before a catastrophic injury or death occurs. The police union asked the California Public Utilities Commission to postpone a vote on expanding robotaxi services. The companies say they are working with officials and that most encounters are without issue.

Company involved

Waymo and Cruise

4 source articles · read the reporting →

Waymo Self-Driving Taxis Crash into Backwards-Towed Pickup in Phoenix

On 11 December 2023, two Waymo autonomous vehicles collided with a pickup truck being towed backwards in Phoenix, Arizona. The vehicles were operating without passengers and sustained minor damage, with no injuries reported. Waymo attributed the crashes to a software error that mispredicted the towed vehicle's motion and subsequently deployed a fix. The company filed a voluntary recall report with the NHTSA.

Company involved

Waymo

AI system involved

Waymo Driver

3 source articles · read the reporting →

Lawsuit says Tesla Autopilot missed a curve before a fatal Model X crash

The Autopilot system missed a curve, causing a fatal crash for the driver.

Company involved

Tesla

AI system involved

Autopilot

1 source article · read the reporting →

Tesla Full Self-Driving involved in fatal pedestrian crash in Arizona

In November 2023, a Tesla Model Y with Full Self-Driving engaged struck and killed 71-year-old Johna Story on Interstate 17 in Arizona. The system failed to brake due to sun glare, according to footage obtained by Bloomberg. The victim's family has sued Tesla and the driver. NHTSA is investigating whether the system poses an unacceptable safety risk.

Company involved

Tesla

AI system involved

Full Self-Driving

7 source articles · read the reporting →

Waymo Self-Driving Taxis Proactively Report to Police After Discovering Passenger Hiding a Gun

قامت سيارات الأجرة ذاتية القيادة من شركة Waymo بإبلاغ الشرطة بشكل استباقي بعد اكتشافها أن أحد الركاب كان يخفي مسدساً.…

A Waymo self-driving taxi in San Francisco detected two teenage passengers carrying an unidentified AR-15 rifle loaded with ammunition. The vehicle automatically stopped and alerted police, leading to the arrest of the two teenagers. Waymo stated that its system can identify violations of its terms of service, including carrying weapons, and will proactively notify police.

Company involved

Waymo

1 source article · read the reporting →

NHTSA investigation PE24015: Rear-end Collisions Involving Zoox Vehicles

Automated driving system controlled vehicle braking and acceleration, leading to rear-end collisions with other road users

Company involved

Zoox

AI system involved

Zoox vehicle

1 source article · read the reporting →

Ford BlueCruise crash in Philadelphia kills two, injures one

On March 3, 2024, a Ford Mustang Mach-E operating in hands-free partial automation mode (BlueCruise) collided with stationary vehicles in a work zone on I-95 in Philadelphia. The system recorded a speed of 72.4 mph with no braking or steering before impact. The drivers of the two stationary vehicles died, and the Ford driver was injured. The NTSB determined the probable cause to be driver impairment and distraction due to overreliance on automation, as well as Ford's inadequate integration of speed management with the automation system.

Company involved

Ford Motor Company

AI system involved

BlueCruise

9 source articles · read the reporting →

First Accident Before Test Phase: Robotaxis Launch in Furttal

Erster Unfall, bevor die Testphase beginnt: Robotaxis starten im Furttal - nzz.ch

Switzerland's first self-driving taxi service launched in the Furttal region near Zurich, but three days before the start a test vehicle had a minor accident in Dänikon, damaging a ground plate and two tires. The pilot project, called Iamo, aims to complement public transport, with a safety driver on board during the test phase.

Company involved

Swiss Transit Lab

1 source article · read the reporting →

Uber to Resume Autonomous Car Use Despite Fatal Accident - Estadão

Uber voltará a utilizar carros autônomos mesmo após acidente - Estadão

Uber's president Dara Khosrowshahi said the company plans to resume using autonomous cars within months. The ride-hailing firm suspended its self-driving vehicle program in March after a car struck and killed a pedestrian in the United States. Khosrowshahi stated that Uber has conducted internal and independent safety reviews and is working with government agencies to restart testing.

1 source article · read the reporting →

Waymo autonomous vehicle allegedly kills beloved San Francisco bodega cat KitKat

A Waymo autonomous vehicle allegedly struck and killed KitKat, a 9-year-old cat that was a beloved mascot of Randa's Market in San Francisco's Mission District, on the night of October 27, 2025. Witnesses reported that the vehicle swerved and did not stop after hitting the cat, which later died at a veterinary hospital. The incident has sparked mourning among neighbors and calls for accountability, with a 311 complaint filed alleging the car 'did not even try to stop.' Waymo did not respond to requests for comment.

Company involved

Waymo

AI system involved

Waymo

7 source articles · read the reporting →