Overview of the Collision

In an unexpected turn of events on December 27, 2023, a Waymo robotaxi collided with a Serve Robotics delivery robot at a bustling intersection in Los Angeles, sparking concern and curiosity among tech enthusiasts and commuters alike. Footage shared on social media captures the Serve bot attempting to cross a street in West Hollywood when the accident occurred, highlighting the increasingly complex interactions between autonomous vehicles and delivery robots on public roads.

Details of the Incident

As the video shows, the Serve bot was navigating the curb and attempting to access the sidewalk when a Waymo robotaxi, making a right turn, struck it. Eyewitness reports suggest that the Serve robot may have ignored a red light prior to the incident, although the footage does not definitively confirm this claim.

Humorous comments poured in from social media users, with one Redditor jokingly suggesting that the Waymo system simply didn’t recognize the delivery robot as a valid entity on the road, saying, “Waymo computers: ‘Doesn’t appear to be a human or animal.’ ‘No life form detected’ BAM!” While this comment was made in jest, it raises a serious concern about how these advanced systems interpret their surroundings.

Reactions from Waymo

In response to inquiries from TechCrunch, a spokesperson for Waymo indicated that the company's Driver system successfully identified the delivery robot as an inanimate object. Designed with caution in mind, the system prioritizes safety based on the data it receives from various sensors to classify different users and objects on the road. For instance, it is programmed to exhibit increased caution around pedestrians and children to prevent accidents.

Circumstances Leading to the Collision

Interestingly, the delivery robot paused briefly at the curb before transitioning into the vehicle lane just as the Waymo robotaxi entered the intersection. Despite the robot's proactive approach, the Waymo Driver applied hard braking, ultimately making contact with the Serve robot at a low speed of approximately 4 miles per hour. Fortunately, neither vehicle sustained damage, and both continued on their way after a brief moment of entanglement.

Implications for Autonomous Vehicles

This incident raises valid questions about the future of autonomous vehicles, specifically regarding liability in cases of collisions. What protocol exists when these self-driving machines interact awkwardly? According to Waymo, when an incident occurs, their Fleet Response and Rider Support teams are alerted immediately. The Fleet Response team evaluates the situation remotely, while the Rider Support team checks on passengers and coordinates with emergency services if necessary.

Notably, in this event, there were no passengers in the Waymo robotaxi, leaving some ambiguity about whether their response teams engaged in this particular collision.

Response from Serve Robotics

A representative from Serve confirmed that this was the first recorded instance of one of their delivery robots colliding with a robotaxi and emphasized that the bot was under remote operator supervision during the encounter, in line with their procedural guidelines for crossing intersections.

Conclusion

As autonomous vehicles continue to emerge and gain popularity in urban landscapes, companies like Waymo and Serve are keenly aware of the implications of these collisions on their operations. While no one was harmed in this incident, both firms are actively working together to prevent similar occurrences in the future, highlighting their commitment to safety and accountability in the rapidly evolving world of automation.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story—it's a crucial moment for the future of self-driving technology!