A Waymo self-driving car. Photograph by Grendelkhan, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Waymo and Zoox test drivers hurt by hard AV braking — OSHA data

TechCrunch: 24+ injuries 2024–25 — sprains and whiplash; one Phoenix driver off 157 days.

Test drivers for Waymo and Zoox have reported more than two dozen workplace injuries from sudden autonomous braking and swerves, OSHA filings show.

TechCrunch’s review found Transdev logged 16 Waymo-related injuries across San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix in 2024–25, mostly hard stops — including a Phoenix case with 157 days off after an “exaggerated” brake with no obstruction. Zoox logged up to eight injuries tied to harsh stops or “nogo” system shutdowns. Workers describe sprains, strains and whiplash. Both firms say safety is a priority and hard braking can be necessary; the true industry tally may be higher because of reporting thresholds.

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