Since this is a translation of an overseas article, there may be mistranslations.
https://hothardware.com/news/waymo-robotaxi-hits-child-near-school-triggering-federal-probe
Waymo Robotaxi Hits Child Near School, Triggering Federal Probe
A Waymo robotaxi struck a young student near a school zone in Santa Monica, California, triggering a federal investigation. The vehicle was reportedly operating within appropriate safety parameters for a school zone despite not detecting the child who suddenly emerged from behind a parked SUV.
The incident occurred last Friday during morning drop-off hours at Grant Elementary School in Santa Monica, California. According to federal reports and witness statements, a young child darted out from behind a double-parked SUV into the roadway.
The Waymo vehicle, operating without a backup driver, struck the child two blocks away from the school. Fortunately, the student sustained only minor injuries and was able to walk to the sidewalk before receiving medical attention. However, the incident prompted an immediate investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Waymo released a detailed blog post several days after the accident, including technical data. The company stated that its autonomous driving system detected the child emerging from behind the parked SUV as soon as it appeared.
The vehicle then "braked forcefully," reducing its speed from approximately 17 mph to less than 6 mph at the moment of impact, Waymo added. To support its claim, the company cited a peer-reviewed safety model, arguing that even a highly attentive human driver would have likely struck the child at approximately 14 mph, potentially causing more severe injuries.
Nevertheless, the NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation is focusing on objectively determining whether the AI exercised "appropriate caution" in a high-risk environment. Regulators are questioning whether traveling at 17 mph, regardless of the speed limit, was a responsible speed in a school zone with numerous traffic safety officers directing traffic, double-parked vehicles, and unpredictable child behavior.
This collision is the latest in a series of recent challenges faced by Waymo, owned by Alphabet, regarding school-related issues. Last week, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched a separate investigation into reports that Waymo vehicles illegally passed stopped school buses in Austin and Atlanta.
As these incidents accumulate, several school districts across multiple states are calling for a halt to Waymo's operations during school hours until the autonomous driving technology can demonstrate its ability to comply with the unique rules of the school environment.
With the U.S. Senate preparing for a hearing on autonomous vehicle safety in February, this Santa Monica incident highlights that even as self-driving technology advances, the "last mile" problem remains a significant hurdle to overcome.
▶ Source: https://hothardware.com/news/waymo-robotaxi-hits-child-near-school-triggering-federal-probe
