Waymo is currently facing dual investigations following an incident on January 23, when one of its robotaxis struck a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica. The incident raised eyebrows at the growing trend towards increased use of autonomous vehicles. Because of this, folks are particularly concerned with how these vehicles operate near school buses and pedestrians.
Much remains unclear about the incident, which happened at some unknown point on January 23, as the child apparently darted into the street unexpectedly. According to Waymo, the child “suddenly entered the roadway from behind a tall SUV, moving directly into our vehicle’s path.” The company stated that its robotaxi “immediately detected the individual as soon as they began to emerge from behind the stopped vehicle.”
In their blog post detailing the incident, Waymo reassured the public that they would “cooperate fully with them throughout the process” of the ongoing investigations. The company further stressed its safety-first, transparency-driven approach to tackling concerns that stem from an incident like this.
After the collision, Waymo claimed the child immediately got up and walked to the curb. In the meantime, the robotic taxi immediately called 911. The vehicle was not free to leave until law enforcement cleared it to drive away from the scene. This incident has drawn attention to broader issues regarding the operational protocols of autonomous vehicles, especially in school zones where children may be present.
Waymo has been under intense scrutiny for this incident. Moreover, it’s recently gotten headlines for its robotaxis running away from school buses. The investigations into these practices are part of a larger conversation about the safety measures in place for autonomous vehicles and their responsibilities towards pedestrians, particularly children near schools.
As a company heavily involved in the development of self-driving technology, Waymo relies on a peer-reviewed model to assess and improve its systems. What happened in this incident raises critical questions. How safely can these vehicles operate in complicated environments, like the ones surrounding our schools?
Driving the discussion
Many stakeholders are waiting for more information from Waymo and law enforcement as investigations continue. The resulting answers will go a long way in determining how the public fairs perception-wise on robotaxi services and how they’re eventually integrated into day to day life.
