A Waymo robotaxi ride in Scottsdale turned unsettling for four visitors from Utah when they say they discovered a knife lodged in the back seat after their trip. No one was hurt, but the unexpected blade left the group badly shaken.
The women told reporters they spotted the knife after the ride ended. The handle was jammed into the seam near a seat belt buckle, with the blade pointing straight out, and one passenger initially brushed against it while reaching for a bag.
According to WUSA9, the passengers were identified as Bailey, Jadie, Maddie Carlson and Adria. They reported that the blade was about six inches long and appeared to be firmly wedged into the notch where the seat belt clasp sits.
Waymo told WUSA9 that weapons are not permitted in its vehicles, and that it is reviewing who used the car before the women boarded. The company said its response teams reached out to the riders to confirm they were not injured.
"I touched something sharp and found a knife," Maddie Carlson told WUSA9. She said the incident has changed how she will approach ride services going forward. Another woman in the group described the first person to handle the blade as "lucky" not to have been hurt. The discovery, they said, rattled them even though no one needed medical care.
Waymo’s Safety Guidance For Riders
Waymo’s public safety materials explain that its Support team is automatically notified in the event of collisions or personal security concerns, and that riders can reach help through the in‑car screen or the app. The Waymo Help Center advises passengers to remain in the vehicle with seat belts fastened and to call 911 if they feel threatened at any point.
In its broader safety framework, Waymo emphasizes consistent seat belt use and rapid access to support as key parts of its incident response approach.
Robotaxis Under The Microscope In Arizona And Beyond
The Scottsdale knife scare lands at a time when Waymo’s driverless program is already under a microscope from the public and regulators. Local coverage has detailed a January episode in Phoenix in which a passenger fled after a Waymo vehicle stopped on light‑rail tracks. National reporting has also highlighted federal investigations into other Waymo incidents, including a collision involving a pedestrian in California. TechCrunch and AZFamily have reported on those incidents and the regulatory response that followed.
What Riders Can Do
For anyone using a robotaxi or traditional rideshare, it never hurts to give the seat and seat belt areas a quick glance before settling in. If you spot a suspicious or dangerous item, report it to the company through the app or support channels as soon as possible.
Waymo advises riders who feel unsafe during a trip to call 911 and contact Support using the in‑car screen or the app, in line with the guidance in its Waymo Help Center.
