Waymo Robotaxi Involved in Child Collision
A recent incident involving a Waymo robotaxi and a child near a California elementary school has raised concerns regarding the safety of autonomous vehicle technology. The collision occurred during morning drop-off hours close to a school in Santa Monica.
Details of the Incident
According to reports, the child suffered minor injuries after unexpectedly entering the street from behind a double-parked SUV. The Waymo vehicle, which was operating autonomously, was traveling at 17 mph and attempted to brake sharply, reducing its speed to under 6 mph before the collision.
Regulatory Review Initiated
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into the incident. They aim to determine if Waymo’s autonomous system exercised appropriate caution in a busy location with children, crossing guards, and numerous vehicles.
Key Investigation Focus Areas
- Evaluation of the vehicle’s response near a school environment
- Assessment of Waymo’s safety protocols
- Review of the car’s actions following the accident
Waymo confirmed that no safety operator was in the vehicle at the time of the incident. The company stated it called 911 after the collision and the vehicle remained at the scene until authorities permitted its departure.
Waymo’s Defense and Ongoing Scrutiny
In light of the incident, Waymo referenced a peer-reviewed study suggesting that a human driver would likely have struck the child at a speed of approximately 14 mph under similar circumstances. This incident compounds the scrutiny facing Waymo, as the NHTSA is already investigating reports of its robotaxis not stopping for school buses.
Previous Investigations
Separately, the National Transportation Safety Board is conducting its inquiry into about 20 similar incidents that have occurred in Austin, Texas. Waymo assured that it will fully cooperate with all investigations and has reported the incident to the authorities.
This collision emphasizes the ongoing challenges in ensuring safety for autonomous vehicles, especially in areas with increased pedestrian traffic like schools.
