Waymo robotaxi clips kid darting from behind double-parked SUV at school drop-off—because self-driving 'utopia' starts with 17mph edge cases

A Waymo robotaxi struck a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California, on January 23rd, causing minor injuries. The incident occurred during normal school drop-off hours, with other children, a crossing guard, and several double-parked vehicles in the vicinity. The child ran across the street from behind a double-parked SUV toward the school and was struck by the Waymo vehicle, which was traveling at 17mph. According to Waymo, its autonomous system detected the child and braked hard, reducing its speed. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into the incident. This accident highlights the challenges of autonomous vehicles navigating complex urban environments, particularly around schools where children may be more likely to be present. The incident is significant for the autonomous vehicle industry, as companies like Waymo continue to test and deploy self-driving cars on public roads, with safety being a top concern.