Zoox and Waymo robotaxis cause injuries to test drivers in U.S. cities
Test drivers for Zoox and Waymo autonomous vehicles have reportedly sustained injuries from sudden, unexpected braking and swerving events between 2024 and 2026. At least 24 injuries were documented by OSHA data, with incidents causing whiplash, sprains, and extended absences from work. Zoox recalled vehicles in 2025 after an NHTSA investigation, but test drivers reported ongoing hard-braking problems into July 2026.
What happened
From 2024 to 2025, at least 24 injuries were reported from sudden, unexpected braking and swerving in Waymo and Zoox autonomous taxis, according to data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration obtained by TechCrunch.
Current Zoox test drivers reported in July 2026 that modified Toyota Highlander SUVs were braking too hard at basically any speed when the system incorrectly detects something on the road, with the entire system sometimes shutting down and causing extremely abrupt braking even at high speeds.
Waymo test drivers were injured across San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix due to erratic driving behavior, including a vehicle backing up unexpectedly with a rapidly moving steering wheel catching a test driver's hand and bending it until a crack was heard, and another vehicle braking so hard after spotting children that a test driver required 175 days off work.
Reported impact
Injuries included whiplash, sprains, and other injuries requiring time off work, with at least one test driver needing 175 days to recover.
Zoox employees reported ongoing hard braking incidents causing injuries as recently as July 2026, although the extent of passenger injuries is unclear since Zoox only reports employee-related accidents to OSHA.
Index analysis
The incidents involved sudden, unexpected braking and swerving caused by the autonomous systems incorrectly detecting obstacles or failing to properly manage vehicle dynamics.
Governance controls
Zoox recalled its self-driving cars in 2025 following a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation into abrupt braking that led to some accidents. Zoox stated the software defect addressed by that recall was fixed.
Zoox claims its autonomous vehicles are safer than human drivers, although no specific data was provided.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.