Autonomous vehicle testing by Waymo and Zoox has come under fresh scrutiny after more than two dozen test driver injuries were reported during 2024 and 2025. The injuries were linked to hard braking and other sudden movements by the vehicles, according to data submitted to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and reviewed. Waymo Reports 16 Test Driver Injuries Transdev, which employs and manages Waymo test drivers, reported 16 injuries across San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix. Five injuries were recorded in 2024, while the number increased to 11 in 2025. Several reports cited hard braking or unexpected vehicle behavior as the cause. One 2025 incident in Phoenix involved an autonomous vehicle making an exaggerated braking maneuver without an apparent obstruction. The test driver reportedly remained away from work for 157 days. Another incident in Los Angeles involved a vehicle braking after detecting children playing in its path, with the worker reportedly missing 175 days of work. Waymo did not provide specific responses to questions about the OSHA injury reports. The company told TechCrunch that human operators remain part of its validation process and that information collected during those drives is incorporated into its autonomous driving service. Zoox Test Drivers Report Injuries From Hard Braking Zoox reported as many as eight worker injuries associated with hard braking. Seven of the eight OSHA entries specifically referenced hard braking, "nogo" events or "brake jabs," according to TechCrunch. The incidents included injuries to workers' shoulders, arms, necks, ribs, spine and pelvis. In one January 2025 incident in San Francisco, a Zoox test vehicle reportedly made a harsh stop that injured a contractor's shoulder and upper arm. Current and former Zoox contractors also told TechCrunch that modified Toyota Highlander test vehicles continued making abrupt braking maneuvers as recently as July 2026. Some workers