The journey to welcome new life took an unexpected turn this week in California. A woman in labor found herself delivering her baby inside a self-driving taxi, en route to the University of California, San Francisco medical center.
The vehicle’s rider support team first detected something was amiss, noticing unusual activity within the car. Immediately, they contacted emergency services – 911 – and attempted to reach the passenger directly, recognizing the urgency of the situation.
Before help could arrive, the baby was born within the autonomous vehicle. The car continued its journey, safely transporting both mother and child to the hospital, arriving ahead of the responding emergency crews.
The company, known for its self-driving technology, confirmed this wasn’t an isolated incident. While rare, this marks at least the second birth to occur within one of their taxis, a testament to the vehicles’ role in people’s lives, even during the most profound moments.
The vehicle was immediately removed from service following the delivery, undergoing a thorough cleaning and inspection. The focus remained on the well-being of the new family, and the company expressed its best wishes for their future.
This extraordinary event unfolded amidst scrutiny of the company’s safety protocols. Recently, a voluntary recall was issued following reports from Texas officials detailing incidents of vehicles failing to stop for school buses.
Footage from the Austin Independent School District revealed at least nineteen instances where the vehicles proceeded past stopped school buses displaying flashing red lights and deployed stop arms, with children present in nearby crosswalks. Federal regulators have requested a detailed explanation of these occurrences.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has asked for a response by January 20th, seeking clarity on the circumstances surrounding these incidents and the measures being taken to prevent future occurrences. The investigation continues as the company navigates both the wonder of new life and the demands of public safety.
