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 →
Waymo vehicles repeatedly turn around on San Francisco dead-end street
Residents of a dead-end street in San Francisco's Richmond District say Waymo self-driving cars have been driving down their street and making U-turns every five minutes for six to eight weeks. The constant hum of the vehicles has become a nuisance for neighbours working from home. Waymo said the cars were obeying road rules, taking a U-turn due to Slow Streets signage on Lake, and that it continually adjusts to dynamic San Francisco road rules.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo Driver
9 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 →
NYPD Ends Times Square Subway Robot Pilot Program
The New York Police Department ended its pilot program for a Knightscope K5 robot that patrolled the Times Square subway station. The robot, equipped with cameras sending real-time footage to NYPD, was removed due to its general uselessness. The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.) welcomed its removal and criticized the expense and privacy implications.
- Company involved
- NYPD
- AI system involved
- Knightscope K5
10 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 →
Unitree humanoid robot thrashes arms and legs during demo in China
Footage shows a Unitree humanoid robot thrashing its arms and legs during a demonstration in a Chinese factory, with handlers backing away. The robot, believed to be the H1 model, was tethered at the head, which experts suggest may have interfered with its balance-correction systems. No injuries were reported. Unitree has not responded to the video.
- Company involved
- Unitree
- AI system involved
- H1
4 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 →
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.
1 source article · 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 →
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 →
Waymo robotaxi investigated for failing to stop for school bus in Atlanta
An autonomous Waymo vehicle in Atlanta, Georgia, passed a stopped school bus with its stop arm and flashing red lights deployed, driving near students who were getting off the bus. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating how Waymo's automated driving system performs around stopped school buses. No injuries were reported. Waymo said the bus had partially blocked the vehicle's exit, obscuring the bus's signals, and that it has since updated its software.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo automated driving system
6 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 →
Shopping guide robot falls down escalator at Fuzhou mall, injuring two
On 25 December 2020, a shopping guide robot at the Zhongfang Wanbao City mall in Fuzhou, China, autonomously moved towards an escalator and fell, striking two passengers. The mall stated the incident was not manually operated and that the robot company would dissect the robot to determine the cause. The two passengers were not seriously injured.
- Company involved
- Fuzhou Zhongfang Wanbao City shopping mall
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 →
AI-powered tram crashes into pedestrians in St Petersburg test run
An AI-powered 'Smart Tram' on a test run in St Petersburg, Russia, crashed into pedestrians after its AI system turned off and brakes failed. The driver, who was present, attempted to use emergency brakes but they did not fully work. Several people were injured, including a 45-year-old woman trapped under the tram. The city authorities have launched an investigation and a criminal case has been opened.
- Company involved
- St Petersburg city authorities
- AI system involved
- Smart Tram
1 source article · read the reporting →
Starship delivery robot destroyed by train at Oregon State University
An autonomous Starship food delivery robot was struck and destroyed by a freight train at a railroad crossing on the Oregon State University campus. The robot reportedly became stranded on the tracks, a recurring issue for these delivery robots at this location. No injuries were reported. The incident was captured on video and shared on social media.
- Company involved
- Starship Technologies
- AI system involved
- Starship delivery robot
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 →
Co-op delivery robot collides with dog and pedestrian in Milton Keynes
A Co-op delivery robot operated by Starship Technologies collided with a pedestrian's dog and then struck the pedestrian's leg in Milton Keynes. The pedestrian, Brian Dawson, reported that the robot's sensors appeared to malfunction, causing it to continue moving despite obstructions. Dawson complained to the Co-op store manager, who said the robot was not his responsibility. The Co-op declined to comment, and Starship Technologies did not respond to requests for comment.
- Company involved
- Co-op
- AI system involved
- Starship delivery robot
2 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 →
