A Waymo robotaxi and a Serve delivery robot collided in Los Angeles | TechCrunch
Dec 31, 2024 - techcrunch.com
On December 27, a collision occurred between a Waymo robotaxi and a Serve Robotics sidewalk delivery robot at a Los Angeles intersection. The incident, captured on video, shows the Serve robot attempting to cross a street and mount the sidewalk when it was hit by the Waymo vehicle making a right turn. The Waymo Driver system identified the delivery robot as an inanimate object and applied hard braking before the collision at a speed of 4 miles per hour. Neither vehicle was damaged, and both continued on their way after a brief pause. The Serve robot was under remote supervision during the incident, as is standard for intersection crossings.
The collision raises questions about liability and response procedures when autonomous vehicles are involved in accidents. Waymo's protocol involves notifying their Fleet Response and Rider Support teams, although it is unclear if these teams were alerted in this case. Serve confirmed this was the first collision involving one of its bots and a robotaxi. Both companies are in communication to prevent future incidents, but specifics regarding liability remain unresolved.
Key takeaways:
A Waymo robotaxi and a Serve Robotics delivery robot collided at a Los Angeles intersection, with the Serve bot reportedly running a red light.
The Waymo Driver system identified the delivery robot as an inanimate object and applied hard braking before the collision.
Neither vehicle was damaged, and both companies are in communication to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Liability in autonomous vehicle collisions remains unclear, with companies like Waymo having protocols for incident response.
