A Waymo self-driving car became the centre of a dramatic scene in Phoenix last week when it stopped on light rail tracks with a train fast approaching. The incident, which was captured on video and quickly went viral, shows the passenger jumping out of the vehicle moments before the train arrived.
The autonomous car had reportedly been navigating near Central and Southern Avenues when it ended up on the tracks. Valley Metro officials confirmed that trains were rerouted and passengers moved to keep services running smoothly. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Local reports suggest construction changes in the area may have confused the vehicle’s sensors, creating what experts call a rare “edge case.” However, the situation has reignited debate over the safety of driverless technology and whether stricter regulations are needed for robotaxi services.
Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, has been expanding its autonomous fleet in Phoenix and other U.S. cities. While the company touts its safety record, critics argue that incidents like this highlight the limitations of current AI systems in unpredictable environments.
Authorities are investigating the event, and Waymo has yet to release a detailed statement. For now, the video serves as a stark reminder that even cutting-edge technology can face unexpected challenges on the road.
