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Boston Robotaxi & Robot Injury Claims

Boston: Robotaxi & Robot Injury Legal Resources
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Boston stands at the intersection of robotics innovation and emerging liability questions. As home to Boston Dynamics, MIT’s world-renowned robotics labs, and Motional’s autonomous vehicle testing program, Greater Boston is where cutting-edge robot technology meets real-world deployment. With Waymo recently scouting city streets and healthcare robots proliferating in local hospitals, understanding your legal options is essential as these technologies expand.

The Autonomous Vehicle Landscape in Boston
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Boston’s challenging driving environment—narrow colonial-era streets, aggressive traffic patterns, and harsh winter weather—makes it both a compelling proving ground and a high-risk environment for autonomous vehicles.

Waymo’s Boston Exploration
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In May 2025, Waymo began exploring Boston streets and Massachusetts highways, signaling potential future expansion:

  • Human drivers operated vehicles while collecting mapping data
  • Testing covered Mission Hill, East Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and South Boston
  • Vehicles were also seen on I-90 and I-93
  • The data collection trip lasted through the end of June 2025
  • No autonomous testing or rides offered—this was purely mapping and reconnaissance
  • No timeline announced for commercial robotaxi service

According to Northeastern University professor Michael Everett, companies are “starting to send vehicles into more challenging environments” as their technology matures in warmer climates. Boston’s harsh winters and complex urban terrain present exactly the kind of challenge that tests autonomous systems.

Motional Operations
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Motional, headquartered in Boston, has been testing autonomous vehicles in Massachusetts longer than any other company:

  • Testing began under the company’s previous names (nuTonomy and Aptiv) over 8 years ago
  • Currently permitted by MassDOT and the City of Boston to test on designated roadways
  • Testing occurs on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less
  • Operations include daytime and nighttime hours in rain, fog, and snow
  • All vehicles operate with a safety driver behind the wheel
  • Motional reports over 1.5 million autonomous miles without a single at-fault accident

Motional is a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and auto supplier Aptiv, though Aptiv announced in early 2024 it would no longer allocate capital toward the venture, creating uncertainty about the company’s future.

Current Regulatory Status
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Massachusetts has not enacted comprehensive autonomous vehicle legislation, relying instead on executive orders:

  • Executive Order 572 (October 2016) established the framework for AV testing
  • MassDOT and the Autonomous Vehicles Working Group oversee testing authorization
  • Companies must submit detailed safety plans and receive approval before testing
  • Testing is permitted only with human safety drivers present

Two competing bills are under consideration in the Massachusetts legislature:

  • S.2393 (Teamsters-backed): Would require safety drivers in all self-driving vehicles, effectively banning driverless operation
  • H.3634 (industry-friendly): Would establish a regulatory framework allowing robotaxis, though requiring safety drivers for vehicles over 10,000 pounds

Until legislation passes, Massachusetts remains a testing-only market with no clear path to commercial robotaxi service.

Boston’s Robotics Innovation Hub
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Boston’s concentration of robotics companies and research institutions creates unique liability considerations beyond autonomous vehicles.

Boston Dynamics
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Boston Dynamics, headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, is the world’s most recognized robotics company:

  • Spot quadruped robots are deployed for industrial inspections worldwide
  • Stretch robots handle logistics and warehouse automation
  • Atlas humanoid robots represent cutting-edge research in human-robot collaboration
  • The company occupies a 180,000 square-foot facility spanning three levels

In 2024-2025, Boston Dynamics announced major partnerships:

  • Toyota Research Institute partnership to develop general-purpose humanoid robots using Large Behavior Models
  • NVIDIA collaboration to build next-generation AI capabilities using the Isaac GR00T platform and Jetson Thor computing
  • Robotics & AI Institute (led by Boston Dynamics founder Marc Raibert) partnership to advance reinforcement learning for humanoids

As these robots move from research to deployment, liability questions will follow. Spot robots are already used by police departments, construction companies, and industrial facilities. Injuries from these deployments may give rise to product liability and negligence claims.

MIT Robotics Research
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MIT in Cambridge remains a global leader in robotics and autonomous systems research:

  • MIT CSAIL Distributed Robotics Laboratory develops autonomous vehicle safety frameworks and ground-penetrating radar systems
  • MIT SPARK Lab focuses on perception and autonomous systems for drones and self-driving vehicles
  • MIT Driverless student team partners with industry to test autonomous technologies in real-world racing
  • Faculty have founded companies including Optimus Ride (self-driving vehicles)

MIT research directly influences the autonomous systems deployed in Boston and beyond. Publications and findings from these labs may be relevant evidence in liability cases.

Healthcare Robotics
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Boston’s world-class hospitals are rapidly adopting AI and robotic systems:

  • Massachusetts General Hospital operates the Surgical Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Laboratory (SAIIL), using computer vision to analyze surgical procedures
  • Brigham and Women’s Hospital tested Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot during COVID-19 for patient triage
  • Medtronic has established Boston as headquarters for its Hugo surgical robotics platform, training surgeons on robotic-assisted procedures
  • Companies like Vicarious Surgical, Activ Surgical, and AIM Medical Robotics are headquartered in the region

When surgical robots malfunction or AI diagnostic systems fail, patients may have claims against device manufacturers, healthcare providers, and software developers.

MassRobotics
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The Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst program, presented by MassRobotics, supports healthcare robotics startups across clinical care, pharmaceutical automation, rehabilitation, and assistive technologies. This concentration of development activity means Boston residents may encounter novel robot technologies before regulatory frameworks catch up.

Massachusetts Liability Law
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Massachusetts law provides several avenues for pursuing compensation after robot or autonomous vehicle injuries.

Modified Comparative Negligence
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Massachusetts follows modified comparative negligence under M.G.L. Chapter 231, §85:

  • You can recover damages if you’re 50% or less at fault
  • Recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault
  • If you’re 51% or more responsible, you cannot recover
  • Juries allocate fault among all parties

This means even if you share some blame for an incident, you may still recover substantial damages as long as you’re not primarily responsible.

Product Liability
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Massachusetts recognizes multiple theories for product liability claims:

Strict Liability: Manufacturers may be liable for defective products regardless of fault, including:

  • Design defects in autonomous driving or robotic systems
  • Manufacturing defects in sensors, motors, or computing hardware
  • Failure to provide adequate warnings about risks or limitations

Negligence: Companies may be liable for:

  • Negligent testing procedures
  • Deploying systems in conditions they cannot handle
  • Failure to properly train safety operators
  • Inadequate maintenance

Breach of Warranty: Claims may arise from:

  • Express warranty violations (4-year statute of limitations)
  • Implied warranty violations (3-year statute of limitations)

Statute of Limitations
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In Massachusetts, you generally have three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury or product liability lawsuit under M.G.L. Chapter 260 § 2A.

  • The discovery rule may extend this deadline if the injury wasn’t immediately apparent
  • Breach of express warranty claims have a four-year deadline
  • Acting promptly is essential to preserve evidence and protect your rights

Who Can Be Held Liable?
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Robot and autonomous vehicle injuries in Boston may involve multiple potentially liable parties:

Autonomous Vehicle Companies
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Companies like Waymo and Motional testing in Boston may be liable for:

  • Design defects in autonomous driving systems
  • Software failures that cause accidents
  • Negligent testing practices
  • Deploying vehicles in conditions they cannot handle (snow, ice, complex intersections)
  • Failure to warn about system limitations

Safety Operators
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During the current testing phase with human drivers aboard:

  • Operators may be personally liable for failure to intervene
  • Employers are likely vicariously liable for operator negligence
  • Inadequate training may create additional company liability

Robotics Companies
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Companies deploying robots in workplaces, healthcare facilities, or public spaces may face liability for:

  • Robot malfunctions causing injury
  • Inadequate safety features
  • Failure to train operators
  • Deploying robots in inappropriate environments

Healthcare Providers
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Hospitals using surgical robots or AI diagnostic systems may be liable for:

  • Negligent operation of robotic systems
  • Failure to properly maintain equipment
  • Inadequate training of surgical teams
  • Failure to obtain informed consent about robotic procedures

Parent Companies
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Corporate relationships may extend liability:

  • Alphabet owns Waymo
  • Hyundai is Motional’s parent company
  • Medtronic manufactures surgical robotics platforms
  • Parent companies may share liability depending on their control and involvement

Boston’s Unique Challenges for Autonomous Systems
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Boston’s environment presents specific challenges that may factor into liability analysis:

Weather Conditions
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New England’s notorious weather tests autonomous systems:

  • Heavy snow can obscure lane markings and sensors
  • Ice creates traction challenges autonomous systems may not handle well
  • Nor’easters bring extreme conditions
  • Freezing rain affects sensor performance
  • Fog reduces visibility for optical systems

Operating autonomous vehicles or robots in conditions they cannot handle may constitute negligence.

Challenging Infrastructure
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Boston’s colonial-era design creates difficulties:

  • Narrow streets with irregular layouts
  • Rotaries (traffic circles) with complex yielding rules
  • One-way street networks that confuse navigation systems
  • Brick and cobblestone surfaces in historic areas
  • Aggressive “Boston drivers” creating unpredictable conditions

Construction and Development
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Ongoing development complicates autonomous navigation:

  • Constant construction changing road layouts
  • Big Dig aftermath with complex tunnel and highway configurations
  • University-area congestion around Harvard, MIT, BU, and Northeastern
  • Event traffic for Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, and Patriots games

Steps to Take After a Robot or AV Incident in Boston
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1. Ensure Safety
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Move to safety if possible. Boston’s narrow streets and heavy traffic can make roadside positions hazardous.

2. Call 911
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Contact Boston Police Department or appropriate jurisdiction for an official report.

3. Identify the Vehicle or Robot
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Note which company operates the equipment:

  • Look for company branding (Waymo, Motional, Boston Dynamics, etc.)
  • Note whether a human operator is present
  • Photograph any identification numbers, sensor arrays, or distinctive features
  • Record vehicle license plates

4. Document Everything
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  • Photograph all vehicles, robots, damage, and the scene
  • Note the exact location (street names, landmarks)
  • Record time, weather, and road conditions
  • Get witness contact information
  • Check for nearby security cameras or traffic cameras

5. Report the Incident
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  • Boston Police Department: File accident report
  • NHTSA: Report to the Vehicle Safety Hotline (888-327-4236)
  • MassDOT: Report AV-involved incidents
  • FDA MedWatch: Report medical device incidents (if healthcare robot)
  • Retain copies of all reports

6. Seek Medical Attention
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Get evaluated promptly even if injuries seem minor. Document all medical care and retain records.

7. Preserve Evidence
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  • Save all medical records and bills
  • Document lost wages and other impacts
  • Preserve any photos or videos
  • Don’t give recorded statements without legal advice

8. Consult an Attorney
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Autonomous vehicle and robotics cases require specialized knowledge:

  • Technical understanding of autonomous and robotic systems
  • Experience with Massachusetts product liability law
  • Resources to access and analyze vehicle or robot data
  • Understanding of the evolving regulatory framework

Challenges Unique to Boston Cases
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Testing Phase Complications
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Boston’s current testing-only status creates unique issues:

  • Different liability standards may apply during testing vs. commercial operation
  • Safety operators’ actions become central to cases
  • Testing protocols may affect liability analysis
  • Companies may argue testing-phase limitations

Regulatory Uncertainty
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Massachusetts’s lack of comprehensive AV legislation creates complexity:

  • No established legal framework for commercial robotaxi liability
  • Courts may look to other states for guidance
  • Regulatory compliance (or non-compliance) may affect negligence analysis
  • Pending legislation could change the landscape

Innovation Hub Effects
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Boston’s concentration of robotics companies affects litigation:

  • Potential jurors may work in tech or healthcare industries
  • Expert witnesses may have local employment ties
  • Innovation culture may influence jury attitudes
  • Deep corporate resources available for defense

Healthcare Robot Considerations
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Medical robotics cases involve additional complexity:

  • Medical malpractice standards may apply alongside product liability
  • Expert testimony from both medical and engineering fields required
  • FDA regulatory compliance affects liability analysis
  • Informed consent issues unique to robotic procedures

Boston Resources
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  • Boston Police Department: File accident reports at (617) 343-4633
  • Suffolk County Superior Court: Civil litigation venue, Edward W. Brooke Courthouse
  • MassDOT: Massachusetts Department of Transportation, AV oversight
  • Massachusetts Attorney General: Consumer protection complaints
  • NHTSA: Federal vehicle safety concerns (888-327-4236)
  • FDA MedWatch: Medical device incident reporting (800-332-1088)

Related Information#

This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Massachusetts autonomous vehicle and robotics law is evolving. Consult with qualified legal professionals to understand your rights in specific situations.