Sprains, pain, and whiplash: Waymo and Zoox test drivers are getting hurt as robotaxis scale
A TechCrunch review of OSHA-submitted data found that Waymo and Zoox test drivers reported more than two dozen injuries in 2024 and 2025, largely tied to hard braking and other abrupt autonomous-vehicle movements.
MAIN POINTS
- TechCrunch reviewed OSHA data on injuries involving autonomous vehicle test drivers.
- Waymo and Zoox drivers reported more than two dozen injuries across 2024 and 2025.
- Hard braking and sudden vehicle movements were the main causes of harm.
- The injuries occurred during testing, highlighting safety concerns for autonomous driving operations.
TAKEAWAYS
- Autonomous vehicle testing can still expose human drivers to physical risk.
- Sudden control actions by self-driving systems may create injury hazards.
- OSHA-reported incidents provide a window into workplace safety issues in AV testing.
- Safety performance should be evaluated beyond crash rates alone.