Waymo Robotaxi Hits Child Near School, Triggering Federal Investigation

A Waymo self-driving taxi struck and injured a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California on January 23, prompting investigations by federal regulators. The incident adds to mounting concerns about the safety of autonomous vehicles, especially around schools.

Key Details of the Incident

According to Waymo, the collision occurred when a child “suddenly entered the roadway from behind a tall SUV.” The company claims its vehicle detected the pedestrian immediately and reduced its speed from 17 mph to under 6 mph before impact. After the collision, the child reportedly stood up and walked to the sidewalk with minor injuries.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into the incident, which occurred within two blocks of an elementary school during morning drop-off hours. Investigators noted the presence of other children, a crossing guard, and double-parked vehicles in the area.

Pattern of School Safety Concerns

This accident comes amid existing regulatory scrutiny of Waymo vehicles. The company is already under investigation for multiple instances of its robotaxis illegally passing stopped school buses with warning lights activated and stop arms extended. Over 20 such incidents were reported in Austin, Texas, and at least six in Atlanta, Georgia.

Despite Waymo deploying a software patch in November to address the school bus violations across its fleet of 3,000 vehicles, at least one violation reportedly occurred after the fix was implemented.

Regulatory Response

The NHTSA investigation will determine whether Waymo “exercised appropriate caution” given the proximity to an elementary school during drop-off hours and the presence of vulnerable road users. The National Transportation Safety Board has also increased pressure on the company by launching its own investigation into the school bus violations.

Waymo’s Defense

Waymo has defended its technology by claiming that simulation models showed “a fully attentive human driver in this same situation would have made contact with the pedestrian at approximately 14 mph” – faster than the robotaxi’s impact speed. The company also noted that it promptly reported the incident to regulators on the same day it occurred.

Broader Implications

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about autonomous vehicle safety, particularly in environments with unpredictable pedestrians like children. It raises questions about whether current autonomous driving systems are adequately designed to handle complex urban environments, especially those with vulnerable road users.