Los Angeles collision between Waymo robotaxi and Serve delivery robot reported

On December 27, a collision between a Waymo robotaxi and a Serve Robotics sidewalk delivery robot took place at a Los Angeles intersection. The incident has sparked discussions about the responsibility that autonomous vehicle (AV) companies may face in case of damage or accidents involving their vehicles.

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The Incident

A video circulating on social media shows the Serve bot crossing a street in West Hollywood at night, attempting to get onto the sidewalk. After reaching the curb, it backed up slightly before continuing towards the ramp. However, as the bot was entering the vehicle turning lane, a Waymo robotaxi made a right turn and collided with the delivery robot.

According to the video’s description, the person who posted it stated that the Serve bot had run a red light prior to the collision. However, this is not clear from the footage itself. A Reddit user commented on the video, jokingly stating: "Waymo computers: ‘Doesn’t appear to be a human or animal.’ ‘No life form detected’ BAM!"

Waymo’s Response

When questioned by TechCrunch about whether the robotaxi saw the bot, a Waymo spokesperson explained that the Waymo Driver system correctly observed the delivery robot as an inanimate object. The spokesperson stated that the Driver is designed to be a cautious defensive driver, prioritizing the safest driving path based on the information available at any given moment.

The Waymo Driver’s ability to classify and distinguish different types of road users and objects informs its behavior around them. For instance, the system is programmed to be more cautious around children and pedestrians. However, in this specific case, the delivery robot had paused at the curb before driving into the vehicle turning lane, just as the Waymo robotaxi entered the intersection.

At that point, the Waymo Driver applied hard braking before making contact with the delivery robot at 4 miles per hour, according to the spokesperson. Neither AV was damaged in the incident, and they remained locked for a minute before going their separate ways.

Liability Concerns

As more autonomous vehicles hit public roads, there is growing concern about what happens when they collide. How do companies decide which robot, and therefore which company, is liable in case of damage? In previous discussions with TechCrunch, Waymo has explained that when a collision occurs, the Waymo Driver notifies the company’s Fleet Response and Rider Support teams.

The Fleet Response team reviews the scene remotely and dispatches roadside assistance representatives if needed. The Rider Support team checks the status of the riders and contacts first responders if necessary. However, in this specific instance, there was no passenger inside the robotaxi.

It is not clear whether the Fleet Response team was alerted to this collision or whether either the Waymo robotaxi or the Serve bot required human assistance to get out of the jam remotely. A Serve spokesperson stated that this is the first instance of one of its bots colliding with a robotaxi and confirmed that the bot was under remote supervisor control at the time of the incident.

Future Incidents

TechCrunch was unable to obtain concrete answers from Waymo or Serve regarding specifics around liability in case of future incidents resulting in more damage. However, spokespeople from both companies have confirmed that they are working together to avoid similar issues in the future.

Industry Implications

As autonomous vehicles become increasingly prevalent on public roads, the question of liability in case of accidents will continue to be a pressing concern for AV companies and regulatory bodies. The incident between the Waymo robotaxi and Serve Robotics sidewalk delivery robot highlights the need for clear guidelines and protocols for determining responsibility in such situations.

The industry is still in its early stages, and incidents like this one serve as a reminder that there are many challenges to be addressed before autonomous vehicles can safely share roads with human drivers. As AV technology continues to evolve, companies must prioritize transparency, safety, and regulatory compliance to build trust among consumers and stakeholders.

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