Sprains, pain, and whiplash: Waymo and Zoox test drivers are getting hurt as robotaxis scale

Test drivers for Waymo and Zoox suffered more than two dozen injuries in 2024-2025, including sprains, strains and whiplash, after hard braking or sudden swerves by the autonomous vehicles, according to OSHA filings and worker interviews. Transdev logged 16 Waymo-related injuries at depots in three cities, while Zoox reported eight injuries, and sources say hard-braking incidents and resulting injuries continue as recently as July.