Emergency Workers Get Crash Course on Robotaxi Response: 10,000s Trained Across US

Breaking News: Tens of Thousands of US Emergency Workers Trained on Robotaxi Response Tens of thousands of emergency workers across the United States have received training on how to handle robotaxis, as autonomous vehicles begin to spread beyond initial testing grounds. The training sessions, led by companies like Amazon's Zoox and Alphabet's Waymo, aim to equip first responders with essential knowledge in case a robotaxi is involved in an incident. Training Sessions Underway According to reports, last year's training session for 20 Las Vegas firefighters, police officers, and other first responders raised crucial questions about how to handle a robotaxi in various scenarios. The Washington Post revealed that emergency workers were taught what to do if the vehicle is blocking a roadway (pull it, not push), what happens if connectivity is lost (the vehicle pulls over), and whether they can manually shut off the vehicle (not yet, but Zoox is working on it). Immediate Impact The training sessions have already shown immediate impact. Alphabet's Waymo has trained more than 10,000 emergency workers in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta, where its fleet of over 2,000 vehicles completes hundreds of thousands of paid trips each week. Background Context As autonomous vehicles become increasingly common on public roads, it is essential for first responders to be prepared. Robotaxis are designed to drive more safely than humans, but accidents can still occur. Training emergency workers on how to intervene in such situations will save lives and minimize damage. What Happens Next? The training sessions will continue nationwide, with a focus on equipping emergency workers with the knowledge they need to respond effectively in robotaxi-related incidents. As the number of autonomous vehicles on the road grows, it is crucial that first responders are adequately prepared to handle any situation that may arise. Sources: Washington Post Alphabet's Waymo press releases *This story is developing. Information compiled from Tech reporting.*