Waymo Submits Redacted Documents to NHTSA for Child Collision Investigation

Waymo Responds to NHTSA Inquiry

Waymo has delivered an initial set of documents to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in response to questions regarding a January collision. The incident involved a Waymo robotaxi striking a nine-year-old child at low speed in Santa Monica, California. The submitted documents were posted to NHTSA’s website, though they were entirely redacted due to Waymo citing "confidential business information."

Details of the Investigation

NHTSA's investigation, initiated a week after the January 23 incident, focuses on Waymo's operational procedures. The agency specifically requested information on how Waymo determines speed limits in school zones, any complaints received about robotaxi behavior near schools, and documentation related to Waymo's software. Waymo had previously requested and received an extension for the submission deadline, moving it past the initial May 8 date.

The January Collision

The collision occurred when a Waymo Jaguar I-Pace robotaxi, traveling at 17 miles per hour near a school, braked and reduced its speed to six miles per hour before making contact with a child who stepped into the street. According to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in March, the child sustained minor injuries and did not require medical transport. The NTSB's investigation is separate from NHTSA's.

Regulatory Oversight and Future Steps

The submission of these documents marks a step in NHTSA's ongoing probe into the safety of autonomous vehicles. While the content remains undisclosed, the process indicates continued regulatory scrutiny over Waymo's technology and its deployment in public areas, especially those frequented by children. NHTSA stated it is reviewing other responses and will publish them as the investigation progresses.