Woman in San Francisco gives birth to baby inside driverless taxi on way to hospital

The firm’s rider support team reportedly detected unusual activity inside the autonomous vehicle and immediately contacted the passenger.

Published on: Dec 11, 2025, 08:17:41 IST

By Shivya Kanojia

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A pregnant woman in San Francisco gave birth in the back seat of a driverless Waymo taxi, a company spokesperson said in a statement. The incident took place when the woman booked the autonomous cab to reach the University of California San Francisco Medical Centre (UCSF). However, her labour pains intensified, and she delivered the baby inside the vehicle.

The incident took place when the woman booked the autonomous cab to reach the hospital. (AFP)

The firm’s rider support team reportedly detected unusual activity inside the autonomous vehicle and immediately contacted the passenger while also alerting emergency services.

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The robotaxi reached the hospital safely with the passengers. UCSF spokesperson Jess Berthold told AP that the mother and newborn were taken into the hospital on arrival.

Waymo further stated that the vehicle was removed from service for cleaning after the incident. The company noted that although such cases are uncommon, this is not the first time a baby has been born in one of its autonomous taxis.

“We’re proud to be a trusted ride for moments big and small, serving riders from just seconds old to many years young,” the company was quoted as saying by AP.

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Driverless taxis have grown in popularity across several US cities, even as they face increased public scrutiny. Waymo operates its autonomous fleet on freeways and interstates in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles and Phoenix.

The service has also attracted criticism. In September, one of the taxis made a U-turn in an area where drivers were not permitted to do so, leading to debate on social media because local police were not allowed to issue a citation under state law.

A month later, a well-known neighbourhood cat named Kit Kat in San Francisco’s Mission District was killed after being struck by a Waymo vehicle.

(with inputs from AP)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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