Waymo has addressed inquiries from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding an ongoing investigation into a January incident where a robotaxi collided with a child at low speed.
On Friday, a set of documents was uploaded to NHTSA’s website following a request for information. The agency stated that it continues to analyze additional responses, which will be made public once the investigation is complete.
The responses from Waymo available at this time were mostly redacted due to “confidential business information.” Despite the lack of detail, the release of these documents indicates that the investigation is advancing after Waymo was given extra time to compile the necessary information.
NHTSA has requested extensive information from Waymo, including how the company assesses speed limits in areas near schools, any complaints received concerning the behavior of its robotaxis around educational institutions, and documentation about the software used in the vehicles.
The incident in question occurred on January 23 in Santa Monica, California. At the time, one of Waymo’s Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis was moving near a school when a nine-year-old girl entered the roadway. The vehicle was initially moving at 17 miles per hour but slowed to six miles per hour before making contact with the girl “near its front-right headlight assembly,” according to an early report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) published in March.
The child fell but was able to walk to the curb, reporting only minor injuries and not requiring medical transport. The NTSB’s investigation is distinct from NHTSA’s, typically culminating in a detailed final report after a year.
NHTSA initiated its investigation just one week after the incident, sending 12 questions—some with follow-up queries—to Waymo on March 23. Waymo’s original deadline to respond was May 8, but records show the company requested an extension in a letter dated May 1.
“Our shared objective is for Waymo to furnish pertinent information that aids ODI’s investigation while minimizing any undue burdens on both parties that would not contribute to the agency’s findings,” wrote Matthew Schwall, Waymo’s senior director of safety, in the letter.
Additionally, Waymo sought clarification on several of the questions in its May 1 letter while requesting the extension. The company submitted answers to some of the inquiries in a follow-up letter on July 8. NHTSA then granted Waymo more time to address 10 out of the 12 questions. Waymo confirmed to TechCrunch on Thursday that it has finalized its submissions.
