Waymo, the self-driving car unit of Alphabet Inc., is being investigated by U.S. auto safety regulators after one of its autonomous vehicles hit a child in Santa Monica, California. The incident, which occurred on January 23, resulted in minor injuries as the vehicle was operating without a human safety driver.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking into whether the Waymo vehicle exercised proper caution in a school zone and how its system is designed to handle situations involving young pedestrians. The child ran into the street from behind a double-parked SUV, leading to the collision.

Waymo reported the incident to authorities on the same day, stating that its system braked sharply and significantly reduced the vehicle’s speed before impact. The company argues that this outcome highlights the safety benefits of its technology compared to human drivers, with the vehicle slowing from 17 mph to under 6 mph.

The investigation into the collision near an elementary school is part of broader scrutiny surrounding Waymo’s robotaxi operations, including previous inquiries into vehicles passing stopped school buses. The company continues to face regulatory challenges as it navigates the development and deployment of self-driving technology.

Read more at Nasdaq: Waymo Vehicle Strikes Child Near School, Prompting Regulatory Probe