Waymo, the self-driving car subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. (Google’s parent company), has faced mounting criticism after reports revealed that its autonomous vehicles have been involved in at least 14 collisions with animals since mid-2021. The incidents have sparked concerns about the technology’s ability to prevent accidents involving wildlife, with five animal fatalities linked to these accidents. Critics are calling for more transparency and accountability from the company, especially given the increasing number of autonomous vehicles on the road.
Note: My thanks to the The No Kill Advocacy Center – date: Dec 8, 2025, for this story.
The Numbers: Animal Collisions and Fatalities
The data surrounding Waymo’s self-driving vehicles reveals that animal collisions have become a growing issue for the company. According to publicly available information, there have been at least 14 reported collisions with animals, primarily involving small animals such as deer, dogs, and various wildlife. Of these, five incidents resulted in the deaths of the animals involved. While the numbers may seem relatively low compared to the broader issue of traffic-related animal fatalities, the frequency of these accidents raises serious questions about the performance of Waymo’s autonomous driving systems.
Since Waymo began testing its self-driving vehicles in urban and suburban areas, the company has emphasized the ability of its cars to navigate through complex environments. However, the incidents point to a potential flaw in the system’s reaction to unexpected obstacles, particularly in rural or more animal-prone areas. Autonomous vehicles, unlike human drivers, rely on an array of sensors, cameras, and machine learning algorithms to detect and respond to their surroundings. However, these systems may struggle with the unpredictability of wildlife behavior, which is harder to predict and respond to effectively.
Accountability and Transparency Concerns
The reported collisions have led to growing concerns about accountability. While Waymo has made strides in developing cutting-edge autonomous driving technology, critics argue that the company has not been sufficiently transparent in addressing the issue. There is no clear indication of how Waymo plans to address the risks associated with animal collisions, nor whether it has conducted a thorough review of its vehicles’ ability to avoid such accidents.
Waymo’s spokespersons have stated that they are continuously working to improve the system’s performance and that animal-related collisions are an unfortunate, yet expected, part of road safety. However, critics argue that these incidents raise broader ethical questions about the role of AI in driving. Should a self-driving car prioritize avoiding an animal over ensuring the safety of its human passengers? And to what extent should companies like Waymo be held accountable for the deaths of animals caused by their vehicles?
The issue of accountability becomes even more pressing when one considers the fact that self-driving cars could soon become more prevalent on the roads. As autonomous vehicles become more mainstream, the risks to both human safety and animal welfare could grow, particularly in rural areas where wildlife is more abundant.
Moving Forward: Improvements and Solutions
While the incidents involving animal collisions highlight a vulnerability in autonomous driving technology, they also underscore the need for continuous improvement. Waymo, along with other companies in the self-driving space, will likely have to refine their algorithms to better anticipate and respond to animals crossing their paths. This could include improving sensors to detect and analyze the movement of animals, as well as developing more sophisticated decision-making models that allow for safer interactions with wildlife.
For now, the incidents serve as a reminder that the road to fully autonomous vehicles is still fraught with challenges. As companies like Waymo continue to test and refine their technology, they will need to be more proactive in addressing these concerns and ensuring that their systems can handle the full range of scenarios encountered on the road — including those involving animals.
In the meantime, the conversation surrounding animal collisions and self-driving cars is unlikely to subside. With growing scrutiny over the technology’s safety and ethical implications, transparency and accountability will remain crucial in shaping the future of autonomous driving.
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About Waymo
Waymo is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., best known for being a pioneer in autonomous driving technology. Originally launched in 2009 as the “Google Self-Driving Car Project,” it became an independent entity in 2016 under the Waymo name. The company’s primary focus is on developing self-driving cars that can operate safely without human intervention, using advanced artificial intelligence, sensors, and machine learning algorithms to navigate roadways.
Waymo’s fleet of vehicles includes modified Chrysler Pacifica minivans and Jaguar I-PACE electric SUVs, which are equipped with an array of cameras, lidar sensors, and radar to detect objects, pedestrians, and other vehicles around them. These cars are capable of operating in a variety of driving conditions and environments, from busy city streets to suburban neighborhoods, although the company has primarily focused its testing and operations in areas like Phoenix, Arizona.
The company’s most well-known service is Waymo One, a public autonomous taxi service launched in 2018 in Phoenix. It allows riders to hail self-driving vehicles via a smartphone app, offering an experience of autonomous mobility without a human driver behind the wheel. Waymo has also partnered with other companies in the logistics and transportation sectors to integrate its autonomous technology into broader commercial applications.
Despite its innovations, Waymo faces challenges around public trust, regulatory hurdles, and the technical limitations of autonomous vehicles. However, it remains a leading force in the ongoing evolution of self-driving technology and the future of transportation.
