Waymo self-driving car hits child near Santa Monica school, US opens probe
A Waymo autonomous vehicle struck a child crossing the street near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California, on 23 January 2026, during school drop-off hours. The child sustained minor injuries. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have opened investigations into the incident. Waymo stated that the child emerged suddenly from behind a double-parked SUV and that the vehicle braked, reducing speed from 17 mph to under 6 mph before contact, and that a computer model suggested a human driver would have also hit the child.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo
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 →
NHTSA investigation PE24016: Unexpected ADS behavior
Waymo's automated driving system exhibited unexpected behavior during driving.
- Company involved
- Waymo
1 source article · read the reporting →
Tesla Driver Passed Out Drunk on Bay Bridge Claims Autopilot Was in Control
On 19 January 2018, a Tesla driver was found passed out behind the wheel on the San Francisco Bay Bridge with a blood alcohol content over twice the legal limit. The driver told California Highway Patrol officers that the vehicle had been set on Autopilot. The driver was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, and the car was towed. No accident or injuries occurred, and Tesla did not confirm whether Autopilot was engaged.
- Company involved
- Tesla
- AI system involved
- Autopilot
10 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 →
Ola drivers file GDPR lawsuit over algorithmic management and data access
Two ride-hailing drivers are taking Ola to court in Amsterdam, alleging the company violated GDPR data access rights by not providing full personal data, including GPS and ratings information. They argue this hinders their ability to challenge algorithmic decisions, such as a driver who had pay docked after Ola's system incorrectly flagged trips as invalid. The case, supported by the App Drivers & Couriers Union, seeks to compel Ola to comply with data protection law and faces fines for non-compliance. Ola says it has not received notification and complies with all applicable laws.
- Company involved
- Ola
- AI system involved
- Guardian
1 source article · 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 →
Tesla Model X on Autopilot hits crash attenuator in Mountain View, killing driver
On 23 March 2018, a Tesla Model X P100D operating with Autopilot hit a damaged crash attenuator on US Highway 101 in Mountain View, California, killing the driver. The NTSB found that Autopilot steered the vehicle into a highway gore area because of system limitations, and that the driver was distracted and over-reliant on the partial driving automation. Two other vehicles were struck; one driver sustained minor injuries.
- Company involved
- Tesla
- AI system involved
- Autopilot
9 source articles · read the reporting →
Tesla Model Y crash, 1 killed, Autopilot verified: Pedestrian hit on shoulder
A Tesla Model Y struck and killed a pedestrian changing a tire on the shoulder of a highway.
- Company involved
- Tesla
- AI system involved
- Autopilot
1 source article · read the reporting →
Waymo drives through farmer’s market in Denver, no one injured - Washington Times
The Waymo autonomous vehicle drove through a farmer's market, potentially endangering attendees.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo
1 source article · 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 →
Waymo pulls over, calls cops on riders with a ghost gun - The Verge
The vehicle pulled over and alerted police to riders in possession of a firearm
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo robotaxi
1 source article · 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 →
VIDEO: Wayward Waymo runs red light at major intersection near Universal Orlando - WKMG
The Waymo van entered an intersection against a red light, endangering cross traffic and pedestrians.
- Company involved
- Waymo
1 source article · read the reporting →
Tesla driver charged with vehicular homicide after autopilot crash kills motorcyclist
A Tesla driver using autopilot mode was charged with vehicular homicide after his vehicle struck and killed a motorcyclist in Washington. The driver told police the car lurched forward and accelerated into the motorcycle. The motorcyclist, 28-year-old Jeff Nissen, died at the scene. The driver was using his phone at the time and was charged with vehicular homicide.
- Company involved
- Tesla
- AI system involved
- Tesla Autopilot (Full Self-Driving Supervised)
5 source articles · read the reporting →
Austin Fire Department Faces Another Bizarre Standoff With an Empty Waymo - MotorBiscuit
A driverless car failed to yield to an emergency vehicle, blocking its path
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo
1 source article · read the reporting →
A Waymo Drove Into a Denver Farmers Market. Colorado Police Had No Mechanism to Ticket It. - Gadget Review
A driverless Waymo entered a Denver farmers market past barricades and a stop sign, disrupting vendors and staff.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo
1 source article · read the reporting →
Tesla in self-drive mode crashes into Fullerton police car
A Tesla operating in self-drive mode crashed into a parked Fullerton police car while the officer was outside directing traffic at a fatal crash scene. The officer jumped out of the way and was not injured, but the patrol vehicle sustained major damage. The driver admitted to using a cellphone at the time. It is unclear if the driver will be cited.
- AI system involved
- Tesla Full Self-Driving (Supervised)
1 source article · read the reporting →
California Slaps Robotaxis With $10,000 Fines for Blocking First Responders - Hoodline
Autonomous vehicles blocked emergency vehicles, delaying response times for first responders.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo
1 source article · read the reporting →
Waymo Robotaxi Blocks Fire Truck Responding To Austin Hotel Alarm - AOL.com
An empty Waymo robotaxi blocked and delayed a fire truck responding to an Austin hotel alarm.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo robotaxi
1 source article · read the reporting →
