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 →
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 →
Denver drivers question Waymo behavior after chain-reaction crash - CBS News
A Waymo autonomous vehicle stopped in a travel lane, and two following drivers were involved in a chain-reaction crash, suffering minor injuries and vehicle damage.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo autonomous vehicle
1 source article · 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 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 →
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 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 →
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 →
Waymo and Zoox robotaxi test drivers report neck and back pain from sudden vehicle movements
WaymoとZooxのロボタクシー、試験運転手が急な動きで首や背中の痛みを訴える - Межа. Новини України.
Test drivers monitoring autonomous vehicles for Waymo and Zoox have reported sprains, back and neck pain, and whiplash-like symptoms after sudden vehicle movements. Long shifts and unpredictable acceleration, braking, and turns are contributing to physical strain. The issue highlights employee safety as robotaxi testing expands.
- Company involved
- Waymo and Zoox
1 source article · read the reporting →
Robo-taxi Sudden Braking Injures Test Driver: Over 20 Cases at Waymo, Zoox
로보택시 급제동에 시험 운전자 부상 '웨이모·죽스서 20건 넘어' - 오토헤럴드
A test driver was injured when a robo-taxi braked suddenly. There have been over 20 such incidents reported at Waymo and Zoox.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- robotaxi
4 source articles · read the reporting →
US Robotaxis Plagued by Whiplash Injuries from Sudden Braking
米ロボタクシー、「いきなりブレーキ」でむち打ち続出 - 自動運転ラボ
Waymo and Zoox reported over 24 injury accidents involving test drivers in 2024-2025, mostly from sudden braking or system errors. Drivers suffered whiplash and other injuries, with some off work for over 150 days. Zoox recalled hundreds of vehicles due to braking problems.
- Company involved
- Waymo
1 source article · read the reporting →
Many Self-Driving Car Test Drivers Injured
Nhiều tài xế thử nghiệm xe tự lái gặp chấn thương - VnExpress
Test drivers for autonomous vehicle companies Waymo and Zoox suffered over 20 injuries such as sprains, muscle strains, and neck pain in 2024 and 2025, according to OSHA data analyzed by TechCrunch. Transdev, which manages Waymo's test drivers, reported 16 injuries caused by sudden braking or swerving, while Zoox reported 8 cases linked to abrupt stops. Incidents included a driver whose hand was injured when a car suddenly reversed while parking, and another who was hurt after the vehicle braked sharply for children on a path, leading to extended leave.
- Company involved
- Waymo and Zoox
1 source article · read the reporting →
Assemblymember Kim Mi-ae: 11 Autonomous Vehicle ‘System Error’ Accidents, 4 Injured
김미애 의원, 자율주행자동차 ‘시스템 오류’ 사고 11건…4명 다쳐 - sisakoreanews.kr
Assemblymember Kim Mi-ae reported that there have been 11 accidents caused by system errors in autonomous vehicles. Four people were injured in these incidents.
1 source article · read the reporting →
Is Your Robotaxi Watching You? A Waymo Reports Two Passengers for Carrying a Weapon in the U.S.
¿Tu robotaxi te vigila? Un Waymo delata a dos pasajeros por portar un arma en EE. UU. - Imagen Radio
A Waymo robotaxi detected a loaded firearm inside the vehicle and alerted emergency services, leading to the arrest of two young passengers. The incident has sparked debate over privacy and the use of internal cameras and AI monitoring in autonomous vehicles.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo
1 source article · read the reporting →
Waymo Robotaxis Stall in San Francisco During Power Outage, Causing Congestion
On 20 December 2025, Waymo's driverless robotaxis stalled at intersections in San Francisco during a power outage, treating dark traffic signals as four-way stops and requesting confirmation checks. The backlog of checks caused response delays and traffic congestion. Waymo suspended its service at the request of city officials to clear streets for emergency vehicles and later explained that it is refining its system to handle such outages more decisively. The California Public Utilities Commission is investigating the incident.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo robotaxi
4 source articles · read the reporting →
Waymo and Zoox robotaxi test drivers report neck and back pain from sudden vehicle movements
WaymoとZooxのロボタクシー、試験運転手が急な動きで首や背中の痛みを訴える - Межа. Новини України.
Test drivers monitoring autonomous vehicles for Waymo and Zoox have reported sprains, back and neck pain, and whiplash-like symptoms after sudden vehicle movements. Long shifts and unpredictable acceleration, braking, and turns are contributing to physical strain. The issue highlights employee safety as robotaxi testing expands.
- Company involved
- Waymo and Zoox
1 source article · read the reporting →
Highway Driver Dozes Off While Using Smart Driving, Car Flips Over; Driver: 'I Was Drowsy, It Crashed'
司机高速上开智驾打盹车撞翻了 司机：“我开了智驾，有点瞌睡，它就撞了” - 新浪网
A driver on a Jiangxi expressway activated the smart driving feature and then dozed off, causing the car to hit a crash barrier and roll over. The driver, who was wearing a seatbelt, was not injured. Traffic police determined the crash happened because the driver mistook the assisted driving system for full self-driving and failed to remain attentive.
1 source article · read the reporting →
Waymo Answered Federal Regulators About Hitting a 9-Year-Old. The Answers Are Fully Redacted. - Benzinga
The autonomous vehicle struck a 9-year-old girl near a school.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo-operated Jaguar I-Pace
1 source article · read the reporting →
Denver drivers question Waymo behavior after chain-reaction crash - CBS News
A Waymo autonomous vehicle stopped in a travel lane, and two following drivers were involved in a chain-reaction crash, suffering minor injuries and vehicle damage.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo autonomous vehicle
1 source article · read the reporting →
Many Self-Driving Car Test Drivers Injured
Nhiều tài xế thử nghiệm xe tự lái gặp chấn thương - VnExpress
Test drivers for autonomous vehicle companies Waymo and Zoox suffered over 20 injuries such as sprains, muscle strains, and neck pain in 2024 and 2025, according to OSHA data analyzed by TechCrunch. Transdev, which manages Waymo's test drivers, reported 16 injuries caused by sudden braking or swerving, while Zoox reported 8 cases linked to abrupt stops. Incidents included a driver whose hand was injured when a car suddenly reversed while parking, and another who was hurt after the vehicle braked sharply for children on a path, leading to extended leave.
- Company involved
- Waymo and Zoox
1 source article · read the reporting →
Federal Regulators' Waymo Investigation Gets New Documents After a Robotaxi Struck a Child - newsbreak.com
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened Preliminary Evaluation PE26001 on 28 January 2026, five days after a Waymo robotaxi struck a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California. The agency's summary states the vehicle was operating autonomously with no safety operator present, during morning drop-off hours. The child emerged from behind a parked SUV and sustained minor injuries. The investigation targets Waymo's fifth-generation Automated Driving System and will examine whether the vehicle exercised appropriate caution given its proximity to a school at drop-off time.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- 5th Generation Automated Driving System
1 source article · read the reporting →
US Robotaxis Plagued by Whiplash Injuries from Sudden Braking
米ロボタクシー、「いきなりブレーキ」でむち打ち続出 - 自動運転ラボ
Waymo and Zoox reported over 24 injury accidents involving test drivers in 2024-2025, mostly from sudden braking or system errors. Drivers suffered whiplash and other injuries, with some off work for over 150 days. Zoox recalled hundreds of vehicles due to braking problems.
- Company involved
- Waymo
1 source article · read the reporting →
Baidu's 'Apollo Go' robotaxi hits jaywalking pedestrian in Wuhan
On 7 July 2024, a Baidu 'Apollo Go' autonomous taxi struck a pedestrian at an intersection in Wuhan, China. The vehicle was starting at a green light when it made slight contact with the pedestrian, who was crossing against the red light. Baidu stated it cooperated with police and accompanied the injured person to hospital for observation. The incident has raised questions about liability for driverless cars under China's evolving regulations.
- Company involved
- Baidu
- AI system involved
- 萝卜快跑
1 source article · read the reporting →
Zoox robotaxi crashes into parked car, injuring driver's hand in San Francisco
On 17 January 2026, a Zoox autonomous vehicle carrying a company employee collided with the open driver's-side door of a parked 1977 Cadillac Coupe DeVille in San Francisco. The door was opened by street ambassador Jamel Durden, whose hand was smashed in the crash. Zoox stated the robotaxi detected the opening door and attempted to avoid it but contact was unavoidable. The San Francisco Police Department and California DMV are investigating, and Zoox is cooperating with authorities.
- Company involved
- Zoox
- AI system involved
- Zoox robotaxi
1 source article · read the reporting →
