Sprains, pain, and whiplash: Waymo and Zoox test drivers are getting hurt as robotaxis scale
Test drivers for Waymo and Zoox sustained more than two dozen injuries in 2024 and 2025 from hard braking or other sudden movements made by the autonomous vehicles, according to a TechCrunch review of data submitted to OSHA.
The injuries sustained by test drivers for Waymo and Zoox highlight a critical challenge facing the autonomous vehicle industry as it scales. While the technology has made tremendous progress in recent years, the safety of human operators inside these vehicles remains a concern. The fact that over two dozen injuries were reported in just two years, mostly due to hard braking or sudden movements, suggests that there are still significant issues to be addressed.
This development comes at a time when both Waymo and Zoox are pushing to expand their operations and deploy their robotaxis on public roads. Waymo, backed by Alphabet, has been testing its vehicles in several cities, while Zoox, backed by Amazon, has been making strides in its own right. However, as these companies move forward, they will need to prioritize the safety of their human operators to avoid regulatory setbacks and maintain public trust.
As the autonomous vehicle industry continues to evolve, it's essential to watch how Waymo and Zoox respond to these safety concerns. Will they be able to implement effective measures to mitigate the risk of injury to their test drivers? How will regulators react to these incidents, and what implications might this have for the broader industry? The answers to these questions will be crucial in determining the future trajectory of autonomous vehicles and their potential to transform the transportation landscape.
Originally reported by techcrunch.com. TechNews adds analysis for technology readers.