--- title: "A Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi Hit a Child During School Drop-Off: TDS" date: "2026-01-30" modified: "2026-01-30" authors: - name: "Joel Feder" job_title: "Director of Content and Product" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/joel-feder" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/a-waymo-self-driving-robotaxi-hit-a-child-during-school-drop-off-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" --- # A Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi Hit a Child During School Drop-Off: TDS ![Waymo]() *Waymo* Good morning and welcome to *The Downshift*, or *TDS* for short. Tight, dense, and thorough, *TDS* gathers the latest automotive headlines from around the globe and places them in one spot. Stories are summarized in a single sentence accompanied by a link for those seeking more information. 🔈 *The Drive*'s first podcast, called [*The Drivecast*, launched]() earlier this week. *The Drivecast* is now on both [Apple Podcasts]() and [Spotify]()! Subscribe, listen, and we absolutely welcome feedback by dropping us a line at feedback@thedrive.com. The first cup of coffee is gone, it's Friday, and it's been a big week here at *The Drive*. Let's get into it. 🚘 What I’m driving: Headed into the weekend with the 2026 Honda Ridgeline Trailsport and suddenly have a new appreciation for this truck with [yesterday's news that the Hyundai Santa Cruz is dead](). The Ridgeline's size makes it easier to live with than most trucks, but this one is starting to show its age both in good and bad ways. Stay tuned for a full review. 💥 A [self-driving Waymo robotaxi struck a child]() in Santa Monica, California during school drop off when the kid emerged into the roadway from behind a SUV as the Waymo was going 17 mph, immediately detected the child, hit the brakes, and reduced speed from approximately 17 mph to under 6 mph before making contact; the child is said to have immediately stood up and walked to the sidewalk and the NHTSA is opening an investigation into the incident. 🛻 Audi CEO Gernot Döllner said "you should never say no. But right now ... it's the last segment I could imagine," when asked if [the automaker is interested in making a truck]() sibling to its potential and desired Mercedes G-Class SUV rival. 🚕 Mercedes-Benz, Nvidia, and Uber are moving forward with [plans for self-driving robotaxis](), which will include the [refreshed 2027 S-Class](). 🇩🇪 Audi's German labor force renewed their [opposition to the automaker building a U.S. factory]() and investing in jobs outside the company's home country. ⛽️ Volkswagen's head of chassis development and driving dynamics, Sebastian Willmann, committed that the current gas-powered GTI and Golf R will [not be the last it]()[e]()[ration of the icons to be powered by gasoline](). 🔋 A study concluded that [used EVs are now the cheapest cars to own]() with the lowest total cost of ownership of any type of vehicle. *Got a news tip or feedback? Drop us a line at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Overseeing what you see, read, touch, hear, and interact with from the vast lakes of Minnesota, Joel Feder shapes how The Drive looks and operates as the head of content and product initiatives. On a daily basis, Joel leads the newsroom and editorial staff playing point on both short-term coverage and long-term strategic plans. His mission is to help ensure The Drive shapes the future of automotive media by helping the team execute original reporting, breaking news, and exclusive opportunities. Regarded as an industry insider and recognized by colleagues, fellow journalists, and manufacturers as a point-person and leader in the industry, Joel owns and runs the largest automotive professionals group on Facebook in an effort to serve and help others. Joel serves as a juror for the World Car Awards. In addition, he is the board chair and chair of the governance and nominating committee for Move Forward MN, a local non-profit that helps at-risk youth with barrier-free mental health and housing services. While you’re reading this he’s either on his computer or iPhone chasing the latest news or drafting a story. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]() [Bluesky]() [Email]()