Waymo Admits Some Remote Operators Are Foreign Contractors

Autonomous vehicle company says international workers provide "real-time guidance" when robotaxis face unpredictable situations.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Waymo, the self-driving car company owned by Alphabet, has revealed that some of its remote operators who take over in unpredictable situations are contractors working in other countries, including the Philippines. This revelation comes amid a rise in alarming incidents involving Waymo vehicles in California, including striking a child, crashing into parked cars, and stalling traffic.

Why it matters

Waymo's use of foreign contractors to remotely guide its autonomous vehicles raises concerns about safety and transparency, especially as the company faces increased scrutiny over a series of high-profile incidents involving its cars in California. This disclosure could further erode public trust in self-driving technology.

The details

Waymo's chief safety officer Mauricio Peña told a Senate committee that the company uses international contractors to provide "real-time guidance" when its robotaxis encounter unpredictable situations that the autonomous systems cannot handle on their own. This means a human operator located overseas can take control and steer the vehicle remotely. Waymo is facing federal investigation after one of its self-driving cars struck a child near a Santa Monica school last week, and two days prior, a Waymo vehicle crashed into parked cars in Echo Park while careening downhill.

  • On February 3, 2026, a Waymo vehicle struck a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica.
  • On February 5, 2026, a Waymo vehicle crashed into several parked cars while careening downhill in Echo Park.
  • In December 2025, a Waymo vehicle stalled on a bridge, snarling traffic for 45 minutes at the Venice Canals Boat Parade in Los Angeles.

The players

Waymo

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

Mauricio Peña

Waymo's chief safety officer who disclosed the use of foreign contractors to remotely guide the company's self-driving vehicles.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“They step in when the robotaxis need backup.”

— Mauricio Peña, Waymo Chief Safety Officer (KTLA)

What’s next

The judge in the federal investigation into the Santa Monica incident will decide whether to allow Waymo to continue testing its autonomous vehicles in California.

The takeaway

Waymo's reliance on foreign contractors to remotely guide its self-driving cars raises serious questions about the safety and transparency of autonomous vehicle technology, especially as the company faces increased scrutiny over a series of high-profile incidents involving its vehicles in California.