Waymo Robotaxi Strikes Child Near Santa Monica Elementary School
A Waymo robotaxi accident occurred near an elementary school in Santa Monica on January 23. The vehicle struck a child, whose identity and age have not yet been disclosed. According to Waymo, the child sustained minor injuries from the collision.
Investigation Initiated by NHTSA
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating the incident. Waymo has committed to fully cooperate with the investigation process. The company reported that its vehicle initially traveled at 17 miles per hour and slowed down to 6 miles per hour before hitting the young pedestrian.
Incident Details
Waymo stated that the pedestrian unexpectedly appeared from behind a tall SUV, entering the vehicle’s path. The company emphasized that the robotaxi detected the child as soon as they emerged.
After the impact, the child quickly stood up and walked to the sidewalk. Waymo contacted emergency services, and the vehicle remained at the scene until law enforcement allowed it to depart.
Context of the Accident
This incident occurs amid scrutiny of Waymo’s robotaxi operations. The NHTSA is already investigating complaints about the robotaxis illegally passing school buses.
- Investigation opened in October after reports from Atlanta, Georgia.
- Additional inquiry launched by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) following multiple incidents in Austin, Texas.
Safety Concerns
The accident took place within two blocks of the elementary school during school drop-off hours. The NHTSA noted that the area was populated with other children, a crossing guard, and several double-parked vehicles. They are evaluating if the Waymo vehicle exercised sufficient caution given these factors.
Waymo’s Response
In a blog post, Waymo referenced a peer-reviewed model indicating that a fully attentive human driver would have likely struck the child at about 14 miles per hour under similar circumstances. However, no detailed analysis of the specific accident has been released.
This event raises significant safety questions regarding autonomous vehicles, particularly in areas with vulnerable road users, like children.
