Los Angeles is not a paradise for autonomous vehicles. A Waymo robotaxi collided with a Serve delivery robot in an unprecedented case that raises questions about California's traffic laws and the protocols for accident reports.
The incident occurred on December 27, 2024, when a Waymo robotaxi, which has completed over 100,000 autonomous trips, hit a Serve delivery robot, known for crossing streets outside of crosswalks. No accident report was filed, and neither vehicle exchanged insurance information or even names. After a brief pause, both robots continued on their way as if nothing happened, a scenario the traffic code was unprepared for.
The traffic code normally assigns responsibility to drivers, but what happens when two algorithms meet? Waymo's system categorized the Serve robot as an "inanimate object." With no clear guidelines for handling accidents involving autonomous vehicles, questions arise about liability and repairs. Both companies have avoided these topics, instead discussing "future collaboration," while the robots continue to navigate the streets without a clear protocol for collisions.
