Waymo Robotaxi Hits Child at School Drop-Off

Incident triggers federal safety investigation into autonomous vehicle technology

Jan. 29, 2026 at 11:07am

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A Waymo autonomous vehicle struck a child near a Santa Monica elementary school during morning drop-off on January 23rd, according to the company and federal regulators. The child ran into the street from behind a double-parked vehicle and was hit by the Waymo robotaxi, though the extent of the child's injuries is unclear.

Why it matters

This incident raises new concerns about the safety of autonomous vehicles, especially in high-traffic areas like school zones where unpredictable child pedestrian behavior poses unique challenges. It also comes as Waymo and other self-driving companies are working to win over public trust and demonstrate the safety benefits of their technology.

The details

According to reports, the child ran into the street from behind a double-parked vehicle and was struck by the Waymo robotaxi. The extent of the child's injuries is unknown, but the incident has triggered a federal safety investigation into the crash and Waymo's autonomous driving technology.

  • The incident occurred on January 23, 2026 during morning school drop-off hours.

The players

Waymo

An autonomous driving company and subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.

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What’s next

Federal regulators have launched an investigation into the incident and Waymo's autonomous driving technology. The results of this investigation will likely shape future regulations and public perception around self-driving vehicles.

The takeaway

This crash highlights the complex safety challenges autonomous vehicles face, especially in high-traffic areas with unpredictable pedestrian behavior. As self-driving technology continues to advance, ensuring the safety of all road users will be critical for building public trust and acceptance.