Waymo Robotaxi Reportedly Obstructed Ambulance Responding to Austin Mass Shooting

Summary

During the response to a mass shooting on West Sixth Street in Austin, Texas, a Waymo robotaxi reportedly stopped across a street while traveling to pick up a passenger, briefly blocking an ambulance. Video reportedly showed the vehicle inching forward as police arrived; an officer contacted Waymo through its speaker system, after which the vehicle moved into a parking garage. Austin-Travis County EMS said the delay was resolved without significant effects on patient care or operations.

Developers

• Waymo
• Automated driving system developers

Deployers

• Waymo
• Robotaxi operators
• Automated driving system deployers

Harmed parties

• Road users
• Patients
• Emergency medical responders
• Emergency medical patients
• Austin-Travis County EMS