A baby delivered at Waymo continues the proud tradition of never having to make it to a hospital

A pregnant San Francisco woman gave birth inside a Waymo robotaxi Monday night on its way to UCSF Medical Center, marking the latest milestone in the self-driving car saga that no one — except everyone with more than six months of experience behind the wheel of a ride-sharing vehicle — expected.

According to SF Standard, Waymo’s remote team detected “unusual activity” and called 911, though the vehicle beat emergency services to the hospital.

Some traditions appear to be immune to disruption. For decades, expectant mothers have been racing against biology in the back seats of taxis and Uber cars from London to Los Angeles. There was a mother in India who called her son an Uber after he gave birth on the way to the hospital (the driver reportedly helped with the birth). There was also a couple from California in 2017 who received their child in an Uber during a Saturday. The father joked: “Everyone is asking us to name the baby Uber,” before adding: “But we can’t do that.” (Ah, though, they could have done that!)

The stories go on and on. Now, Silicon Valley has automated this experience, at least partially.

The vehicle was immediately removed in San Francisco for cleaning. What’s more, this wasn’t Waymo’s first birth, with the company telling the Standard that a baby from Phoenix got there first. “Although this is very rare, some of our newest riders can’t wait to experience their first Waymo ride,” a Waymo spokesperson said.