Waymo recalls robotaxi software after crash into telephone pole
On May 21, 2024, a Waymo autonomous vehicle crashed into a telephone pole in Phoenix, Arizona, while driving to a passenger pickup location. The vehicle was damaged but no one was injured. Waymo issued a voluntary recall and updated the software and mapping for its entire fleet of 672 vehicles to correct an error that assigned a low damage score to the pole and to improve the map.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo autonomous vehicle
6 source articles · read the reporting →
Waymo Issues Voluntary Recall After Self-Driving Cars Illegally Pass School Buses
Waymo's self-driving vehicles illegally passed stopped school buses in Austin, Texas, on at least 19 occasions, including one where a student was still in the road. The Austin Independent School District reported the violations, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation. Waymo issued a voluntary software recall and claimed a November 2025 update fixed the issue, but the school district alleges at least five further violations occurred after the update. The recall does not remove vehicles from the road; Waymo will push further software fixes.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- 5th Generation Automated Driving System
3 source articles · read the reporting →
While one American company runs half a million driverless rides a week using cameras, lidar and radar together, the other…
Waymo's co-chief executive argued publicly that camera-only autonomous driving is a dead end, without naming Tesla. Waymo runs about half a million fully driverless paid rides a week across 15 cities with no safety monitors, while Tesla's Austin robotaxi service logged 14 crashes in roughly 800,000 miles with a paid human still sitting in the front seat, a crash every 57,000 miles.
- Company involved
- Tesla
- AI system involved
- Tesla robotaxi service
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 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 →
Wuhan's Baidu 'Luobo Kuaipao' robotaxis freeze on roads, stranding passengers
On the evening of 31 March 2026, multiple Baidu 'Luobo Kuaipao' autonomous taxis in Wuhan stopped on roads and elevated highways, trapping passengers inside. Police and transport authorities responded, and the company attributed the fault to a network-related system failure. Passengers were evacuated without injury, and an investigation is ongoing.
- Company involved
- Baidu
- AI system involved
- Luobo Kuaipao
3 source articles · 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 →
Waymo restricts freeway rides after robotaxis enter construction zones
Waymo has voluntarily recalled 3,871 robotaxis after some entered freeway construction zones in Phoenix and the Bay Area. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the software may allow a vehicle to enter a closed construction zone, increasing crash risk. Waymo is developing a software fix to detect and avoid construction zones. No crashes or injuries were reported.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo fifth-generation automated driving system
7 source articles · read the reporting →
Waymo driverless taxi blocked by men demanding passenger's number
A woman using a Waymo driverless taxi in San Francisco was trapped when two men blocked the vehicle and demanded her phone number. The autonomous car stalled, and the men persisted despite her protests. Waymo's rider support contacted her during the incident and followed up afterwards. The passenger described the experience as terrifying and warned others to be careful when riding alone.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo
8 source articles · read the reporting →
Waymo Issues Voluntary Recall After Self-Driving Cars Illegally Pass School Buses
Waymo's self-driving vehicles illegally passed stopped school buses in Austin, Texas, on at least 19 occasions, including one where a student was still in the road. The Austin Independent School District reported the violations, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation. Waymo issued a voluntary software recall and claimed a November 2025 update fixed the issue, but the school district alleges at least five further violations occurred after the update. The recall does not remove vehicles from the road; Waymo will push further software fixes.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- 5th Generation Automated Driving System
3 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 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 →
Cruise robotaxi drags woman 20 feet, company pays over $8M settlement
On October 2, 2023, a Cruise robotaxi in downtown San Francisco struck and dragged a woman 20 feet after she was hit by a human driver. The autonomous vehicle attempted to pull over while the pedestrian was trapped underneath, causing life-threatening injuries. Cruise later paid a settlement of between $8 million and $12 million to the victim. The California DMV suspended Cruise's driverless permits after the company failed to show regulators complete footage of the incident.
- Company involved
- Cruise
4 source articles · 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 recalls robotaxi software after crash into telephone pole
On May 21, 2024, a Waymo autonomous vehicle crashed into a telephone pole in Phoenix, Arizona, while driving to a passenger pickup location. The vehicle was damaged but no one was injured. Waymo issued a voluntary recall and updated the software and mapping for its entire fleet of 672 vehicles to correct an error that assigned a low damage score to the pole and to improve the map.
- Company involved
- Waymo
- AI system involved
- Waymo autonomous vehicle
6 source articles · read the reporting →
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 →
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
1 source article · read the reporting →
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 →
