WAYMO AND ZOOX TEST DRIVERS REPORT DOZENS OF INJURIES

The injuries include sprains, pain, and whiplash incidents linked to the robotaxis' sudden acceleration or braking maneuvers. Both companies submitted the injury reports to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as part of standard workplace safety documentation. The incidents highlight safety concerns as autonomous vehicle companies scale testing operations. Hard braking events can occur when the vehicles detect obstacles or respond to traffic conditions, sometimes catching occupants off guard. Waymo and Zoox have been expanding their robotaxi services in major cities, with Waymo operating in Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, while Zoox operates in Las Vegas. The injury reports suggest that despite autonomous driving technology's theoretical safety benefits, the transition period involves real occupant safety challenges. Neither company has publicly commented on specific injury incidents or safety protocols for test drivers. The data underscores potential liability and safety considerations as the industry moves toward broader commercial deployment.