Waymo Robotaxi Hits Child Near School

In the robotaxi race, Waymo has taken a massive lead, when it comes to number of vehicles deployed and cities serviced. 

However, the company isn't short of controversy when it comes to vehicle safety. 

In the latest round of safety incidents, Waymo reported a new accident involving one of its robotaxis. 

On January 23, the autonomous mobility technology leader said its robotaxi hit a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California. The incident occured during regular drop-off hours.

As soon as the incident transpired, the company called 911 and the vehicle in question remained on site until it was cleared to leave by the authorities. It even voluntarily contacted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) after the incident. The NHTSA said it intends to open an investigation into the incident—one that Waymo said it "will cooperate fully with them throughout the process."
 

TL;DR

 

• On January 23, 2026, a Waymo robotaxi struck a pedestrian near a Santa Monica elementary school.
• The vehicle braked sharply, reducing speed from 17 mph to 6 mph before contact.
• The incident is under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
• The pedestrian sustained minor injuries and walked away from the scene after the incident.

 

How Did Waymo's Robotaxi Hit The Child?

The incident occurred when a child unexpectedly entered the roadway, appearing from behind a large SUV and stepping directly into the robotaxi’s path.

Waymo’s technology detected the child immediately, and the vehicle’s autonomous system responded by applying hard brakes, which helped it reduce its speed from around 17 mph (miles per hour) to just under 6 mph before making contact with the individual.

Despite this, the impact was much lower than what a human driver would have likely achieved in the same scenario, as Waymo’s peer-reviewed model predicts a fully attentive human driver would have made contact at a speed of 14 mph.

Following the incident, Waymo confirmed that the pedestrian immediately stood up and walked to the sidewalk, and the company called 911 for medical assistance. The vehicle parked to the side of the road and remained at the scene until law enforcement cleared it to depart. 

 

What Did The NHTSA Say?

The NHTSA has opened an investigation into the incident, to review if the vehicle exercised appropriate caution given the proximity to a school and the presence of other children and pedestrians in the area.

Waymo has pledged to fully cooperate with the investigation and has expressed its commitment to transparency, which it believes is key to improving road safety for all.

The NHTSA is already investigating Waymo for its robotaxis illegally passing school buses, a probe that opened in October following the first such incident in Atlanta, Georgia. Similarly, the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) is probing the robotaxi firm following around 20 incidents in Austin, Texas.
 

What Did Waymo Say About Its Commitment To Safety?

Waymo emphasized that this incident illustrates the critical role that its safety systems play in reducing the severity of potential accidents. The company has long been an advocate for safety, and this event highlights how its autonomous vehicle systems are designed to minimize risks.

“Our technology immediately detected the individual as soon as they began to emerge from behind the stopped vehicle,” Waymo stated in a blog post.

This quick reaction, the company believes, demonstrates the value of its safety features, which are continually evolving to protect both passengers and pedestrians.
   

Waymo Expands To San Francisco International Airport

At the same time, Waymo has announced an exciting development for travelers in San Francisco's Bay Area.

"Starting today, Bay Area travelers can catch their next flight at San Francisco International Airport via convenient and fully autonomous Waymo rides," said Waymo in a blog post. The service will be offered to a select number of riders, and will grow to more riders  over the coming months.

Initially, pickups and dropoffs will operate from the SFO Rental Car Center, which will be accessible through a short AirTrain ride, with plans to serve additional airport locations such as the terminals in the future.