The screech of tires. A gasp from onlookers. Then, the sickening thud of metal on something soft. The promise of self-driving cars was always progress, until a Waymo robotaxi collided with a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica on January 23rd, leaving everyone wondering if this future was arriving too fast.
Robotaxis are rolling out across American cities, and accidents, it seems, are part of the deal. The young boy, thankfully, sustained only minor injuries, but this incident raises serious questions.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that the incident occurred during school drop-off hours, close to the school. The area was crowded with children, a crossing guard, and several illegally parked cars.
Reportedly, the child ran into the street from behind a parked SUV and was struck by the Waymo vehicle, which had no human safety operator present.
NHTSA Investigates Waymo’s Automated Driving System
I’ve seen firsthand how quickly situations can change near schools. NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation is now probing whether Waymo’s system “exercised appropriate caution” given the location and circumstances. The investigation aims to understand how the automated driving system is programmed to behave in school zones, and that’s something we should all care about.
According to Waymo, the vehicle detected the child “immediately” after he ran from behind the SUV. The car braked, reducing its speed from approximately 27 km/h to under 10 km/h before the impact. Waymo claims its model suggests a human driver would have hit the child at around 22 km/h.
Waymo stated the child was able to stand and walk to the sidewalk after the accident. The vehicle then automatically called 911 and remained at the scene until police authorized its departure. Waymo also claims they voluntarily contacted NHTSA that same day.
What happens when a robotaxi hits a pedestrian?
When a robotaxi hits a pedestrian, the aftermath is far from simple. It touches on questions of liability, programming, and the very ethics of artificial intelligence. The accident occurred just a month after NHTSA sent Waymo a letter regarding a preliminary investigation into reports of Waymo vehicles failing to stop for school buses with flashing lights. The system is under intense scrutiny.
Waymo Faces Previous Scrutiny Over School Bus Incidents
Think of it like this: a seasoned driver knows to anticipate darting children near a school, but can a computer learn that same intuition? In November, Waymo recalled over 3,000 vehicles to address the school bus issue, but reports persisted. The Austin Independent School District reported at least 20 similar incidents to CBS News in December.
Waymo isn’t backing down, stating, “This event demonstrates the critical value of our safety systems. We remain committed to improving road safety where we operate as we continue on our mission to be the world’s most trusted driver.” But that trust is precisely what is being tested. The recent accidents cast a long shadow over Waymo’s expansion plans, which include Miami, Baltimore, St. Louis, and Philadelphia.
How many cities have Waymo robotaxis?
Waymo currently operates in several major metropolitan areas, including the San Francisco Bay Area, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Austin, Atlanta, and Miami. The company is in various stages of testing and deployment in these cities, adapting its technology to different traffic patterns and road conditions. Each new expansion comes with its own set of challenges and promises.
What regulations are in place for self-driving cars?
The regulatory landscape for self-driving cars is a patchwork of federal guidelines and state laws, creating a complex environment for companies like Waymo. The NHTSA has general oversight, but individual states often implement their own rules regarding testing, deployment, and liability. This fragmented approach can create uncertainty and slow the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles.
The Waymo situation is a high-stakes game, and the stakes are only getting higher. Are robotaxis truly ready for our streets, or are we rushing headlong into a future we don’t fully understand?