Automotive

Robotaxis face ongoing safety concerns despite reported reductions in overall vehicle crashes

Autonomous vehicle firms report fewer crashes but continue managing recalls, sudden stops, and test injuries, Engadget reports.

Updated Sep 22, 2026 · 15:05 UTC1 reports

The short version

An IIHS report indicated Waymo vehicles had roughly 65 percent fewer crashes than human drivers, though critics argue more testing is required.[Engadget]
OSHA data showed test drivers for Waymo and Zoox suffered dozens of injuries from sudden stops and phantom braking.[Engadget]
Zoox and Waymo both executed safety recalls in 2026 after vehicles failed to identify smoke or drove into flooded streets.[Engadget]
Tesla robotaxis registered more accidents than human drivers during their initial rollout in Austin.[Engadget]

An Insurance Institute for Highway Safety report found Waymo robotaxis had roughly 65 percent fewer crashes than human drivers last year.[Engadget]
Waymo's internal data claims its autonomous vehicles reduce serious injury accidents by 94 percent.[Engadget]
TechCrunch reported that OSHA records show dozens of test-driver injuries at Waymo and Zoox, largely from sudden brake jabs caused by phantom obstacles.[Engadget]
Zoox recalled over 100 vehicles in July 2026 after a vehicle failed to detect smoke and drove into an active emergency scene.[Engadget]
Waymo previously issued a vehicle recall after multiple taxis drove into flooded roadways.[Engadget]
Tesla's robotaxi fleet logged more collisions than human drivers during its Austin deployment.[Engadget]

The full extent of test driver injuries remains incomplete due to limited OSHA reporting mandates and lack of recent testing disclosure from Waymo.[Engadget]
Critics maintain that insufficient independent testing exists to certify industry-claimed safety improvements over human drivers.[Engadget]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.