TechCrunch Mobility: The hidden human cost of robotaxis
Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility, your hub for the future of transportation and now, more than ever, the role AI is playing in it.
In the world of self-driving vehicles, there is a hidden cost that comes with the advancement of technology. Sean O'Kane, a senior reporter at TechCrunch, investigated data submitted to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and discovered that Waymo and Zoox test drivers experienced over two dozen injuries in 2024 and 2025.
These injuries were primarily caused by hard braking or sudden movements made by the autonomous vehicles, resulting in conditions such as whiplash. Some workers were sidelined for months following these incidents.
While it is tempting to assume that other autonomous vehicle developers are not experiencing similar issues, it is probable that other test drivers are also facing these challenges. However, these companies may be exempt from OSHA's reporting requirements. For further information on this story or other topics, you can reach out to Kirsten Korosec at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or Sean O'Kane at sean.okane@techcrunch.com.
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