Waymo Defends Safety Record Amid Senate Scrutiny

Self-driving company Waymo will defend its safety record before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee following federal investigations into safety incidents. The Alphabet-owned company claims its vehicles are significantly safer than human-driven ones and urges Congress to legislate in favor of autonomous vehicle advancements, citing international competition, particularly with China.

Self-driving technology company Waymo faces the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday to address safety concerns highlighted by federal investigations. The probes focus on an incident of a vehicle striking a child near a school and robotaxis driving past stationary school buses.

Waymo, an Alphabet unit, contends that its autonomous vehicles have a superior safety record, claiming they are involved in ten times fewer serious injury incidents compared to human drivers operating under similar conditions. The company's assertion is backed by a recent independent safety audit.

In its written testimony, Waymo urges Congress to support legislation that promotes the development of autonomous vehicles. The company warns that U.S. leadership in this multibillion-dollar industry is jeopardized by Chinese advancements in the autonomous vehicle sector, likened to the strategic significance of aerospace industries.

(With inputs from agencies.)