A remarkable event unfolded this week as a pregnant woman gave birth inside a self-driving Waymo taxi en route to a California hospital. The incident, which has captured widespread attention, took place during her journey to the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center.

The situation came to light when the Waymo rider support team noticed unusual activity within the autonomous vehicle. Acting swiftly, they contacted emergency services and reached out to the passenger to ensure her well-being.

In an unexpected turn of events, the woman delivered her baby inside the self-driving car, according to a statement from Waymo to Fox News Digital.

“We are proud to be a trusted ride for life’s significant events, serving passengers from just seconds old to many years young,” expressed a Waymo spokesperson. “We extend our best wishes to the new family and are committed to safely transporting them through many of life’s occasions.”

In related imagery, a Waymo robotaxi is seen navigating along California Street in San Francisco, as captured on December 8, 2025. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Waymo, which is owned by Google’s parent company, Alphabet, declined to elaborate on how the vehicle knew something was amiss. 

The company has said it has cameras and microphones inside as well as outside the cars.

The mother, baby and vehicle arrived safely at the hospital ahead of emergency services, Waymo said.

In an aerial view, Waymo robotaxis sit parked at a Waymo facility on Dec. 8, 2025, in San Francisco.  (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Jess Berthold, a UCSF spokesperson, confirmed to The Associated Press that the mother and child were brought to the hospital.

Waymo said the vehicle was immediately taken out of service for cleaning after the ride. While still rare, this was not the first baby delivered in one of its taxis, the company added.

The news comes after Waymo issued a voluntary recall of its self-driving cars after Texas officials reported at least 19 incidents of the vehicles passing stopped school buses. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Wednesday asked Waymo to explain the Texas incidents by Jan. 20.

A Waymo robotaxi drives along The Embarcadero on Dec. 8, 2025, in San Francisco. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Footage provided by the Austin Independent School District shows at least 19 incidents since the school year began in which Waymo vehicles traveled past stopped school buses with flashing red lights and stop arms deployed, while pedestrians were visibly walking in nearby streets and crosswalks.