Federal motor vehicle safety regulators have opened an investigation after a Waymo autonomous car struck and injured a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica last week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced Thursday.

A Waymo vehicle driven by a human employee crashed into parked cars on a narrow residential street in Los Angeles.

The vote by San Diego Metropolitan Transit System directors comes as Waymo cars have been spotted on local streets.

Waymo’s full autonomous service launches in Miami, marking a milestone in U.S. driverless transport. Thousands have registered; service runs in key city areas.

Take a look at some upcoming autonomous vehicle projects launching in Atlanta in 2026. Waymo already operates a pilot project in the city.