Sleeping robotaxi passengers trigger emergency responses, strain first responders
Passengers falling asleep during robotaxi rides have prompted hundreds of emergency calls, with remote assistants calling 911 when they cannot wake sleeping riders through speakers. Emergency responders in Austin recorded 99 such calls in the first nine months of Waymo service, straining municipal resources even though most cases do not require hospital transport.
What happened
Passengers have fallen asleep during robotaxi rides, with remote assistants attempting to wake them through speakers and interior cameras before calling 911 when passengers do not respond. Austin police and firefighters recorded 99 such calls in Waymo's first nine months of service in the city, with first responders referring to these incidents as 'sleepers.'
Without human drivers present, company protocols require remote assistants to call 911 when passengers do not respond to verbal attempts to wake them. First responders must assume the worst, treating incidents as potential heart attacks when the remote assistant cannot determine if a passenger is breathing. In addition to sleeping passengers, riders have spilled drinks, dropped food, vomited, experienced medical emergencies, and given birth in the vehicles.
Reported impact
The incidents are straining municipal resources and first responders. Only about 3% of the 'sleeper' calls in Austin required taking a passenger to a hospital, but the calls tie up emergency personnel who might be needed elsewhere, according to an Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services commander.
Governance controls
Waymo has a team of specialized, US-based agents dedicated to coordinating with first responders during incidents, according to the company's written testimony to US Senator Ed Markey in February. Riders experiencing a medical emergency can reach out to 911 directly or contact Waymo's remote support staff via the in-car tablet.
Zoox passengers can press an 'emergency call' button located above them, on the screen, or on their app to connect with a support representative who will contact first responders as necessary.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.