In an event that combines technology with the miracle of birth, a Waymo driverless car became the impromptu site for childbirth on Monday. According to The San Francisco Standard, a pregnant woman, who was in labor and on her way to UC San Francisco Medical Center, gave birth in the autonomous vehicle before reaching the hospital. The mother and her newborn safely arrived at the hospital, inside the Waymo.
Jess Berthold, a spokesperson for UCSF, confirmed the birth, "We can confirm this is true, and the mother and baby came to our hospital," she told The San Francisco Standard. Officials reported that, upon detecting "unusual activity," Waymo’s Rider Support team intervened and contacted 911; however, their vehicle managed to get the mother and newborn to the hospital before emergency responders could arrive.
Waymo has boasted about the adaptability of its service to various life events, and this incident adds labor and delivery to that list. "We’re proud to be a trusted ride for moments big and small," a Waymo spokesperson said in a statement to KRON4, "serving riders from just seconds old to many years young." Following the birth, the vehicle was promptly removed from service to undergo cleaning, which appears to be a reasonable measure given the circumstances.
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