On December 27, an unusual collision occurred between a Waymo robotaxi and a Serve Robotics sidewalk delivery bot in West Hollywood, Los Angeles. A video of the incident, which has since circulated on social media, shows the delivery bot crossing the street at night and trying to mount the sidewalk when the Waymo robotaxi, making a right turn, struck the bot.
The video posted on social media shows the Serve bot navigating a West Hollywood intersection. The bot attempts to get onto the sidewalk, backs up briefly to correct its path, and proceeds toward the ramp. However, as it reaches the curb, a Waymo robotaxi, making a right turn, collides with the delivery bot. The person who shared the video claimed that the Serve bot had run a red light before the accident, though this is not clear from the footage.
One Reddit user humorously commented, “Waymo computers: ‘Doesn’t appear to be a human or animal.’ ‘No life form detected’ BAM!” While the comment was likely made in jest, it reflects some truth about how the Waymo system may have perceived the bot.
When asked for comment, a Waymo spokesperson explained that the Waymo Driver system, which powers the robotaxi, had recognized the delivery robot as an inanimate object. The system is designed to act defensively and prioritize safety, adjusting its behavior based on the environment and the information it receives. For instance, the system is more cautious around pedestrians and children.
In this case, the spokesperson clarified that the Waymo robotaxi had observed the delivery robot pause at the curb before entering the vehicle’s lane. Upon seeing the bot, the Waymo Driver applied the brakes hard, reducing the impact to 4 miles per hour. Neither vehicle was damaged in the collision, and the two remained locked for a brief moment before separating and continuing their paths.
With the increasing presence of autonomous vehicles on public roads, a key question arises: Who is liable when these vehicles collide? As is common with any traffic incident, determining responsibility in accidents involving autonomous vehicles—especially when the involved parties are both autonomous—becomes more complex.
When a collision occurs, Waymo’s procedures involve notifying its Fleet Response and Rider Support teams. The Fleet Response team reviews the incident remotely and sends out roadside assistance if needed, while the Rider Support team checks the status of the vehicle’s passengers, contacting emergency responders when appropriate. In this case, no passengers were in the Waymo robotaxi, and it’s unclear whether the Fleet Response team was alerted or if remote assistance was required to resolve the situation.
A spokesperson from Serve Robotics confirmed that the bot involved in the collision was under remote supervisor control at the time, as part of the company’s protocol for intersection crossings. This is reportedly the first such collision for Serve’s bots with a robotaxi.
Both Waymo and Serve Robotics have indicated they are working together to avoid similar incidents in the future. However, the details surrounding liability—especially in more serious accidents—remain unclear. The incident has highlighted the need for clearer policies regarding autonomous vehicle collisions, particularly as these types of vehicles become more common on city streets.
