Waymo Intensifies Crackdown on Unaccompanied Minors in Driverless Cars
Original: Waymo Is Trying to Crack Down on Solo Kids in Driverless Cars
Why This Matters
Highlights regulatory compliance challenges facing autonomous vehicle operators as they scale
Waymo has confirmed it's implementing new age-verification checks after adults reported mid-ride identity confirmations. California law prohibits autonomous vehicles from carrying unaccompanied minors, though some parents use accounts to transport children.
Waymo is intensifying efforts to prevent unaccompanied minors from riding in its self-driving cars after reports of new mid-ride age-verification checks emerged on social media. The company confirmed it has "policies in place" to identify violations of its terms of service, which prohibit riders under 18 from traveling alone outside of metro Phoenix. California law also prohibits autonomous vehicles from carrying unaccompanied minors. The crackdown follows a formal complaint filed by California labor groups last month accusing Waymo of knowingly transporting unaccompanied minors. Some adults have been caught in verification checks, including a 35-year-old San Francisco engineer who was questioned during his ride. Waymo uses interior cameras and may review video footage, though it states it doesn't use facial recognition technology.