A Waymo robotaxi was attacked and set on fire by a group of people in San Francisco's Chinatown. The incident occurred on February 10, 2024, as the vehicle was driving through the area. The assailants surrounded the car, threw an unknown object inside, which caused it to ignite, and fled the scene. The incident was captured on video by a witness [Digital Trends].
The incident is being investigated as an act of vandalism and arson. Local authorities are reviewing the video footage to identify the perpetrators. The motive behind the attack is still unclear, but it is speculated that resentment towards self-driving vehicles or autonomous technology may have played a role [PCMag].
Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Alphabet, condemned the attack and stated that the safety of its vehicles and passengers is its top priority. The company expressed concern about the welfare of its safety drivers and reiterated its commitment to working with communities to ensure the safe deployment of self-driving technology [MarketScreener].
This incident highlights the challenges that autonomous vehicles still face in gaining public acceptance and trust. It also raises concerns about the potential for similar acts of vandalism or violence against self-driving vehicles in the future [The Verge].
Waymo has been operating robotaxis in San Francisco since 2017 as part of its autonomous ride-hailing service. The vehicles are equipped with advanced sensors, lidar systems, and artificial intelligence to navigate and interact with the surrounding environment. Waymo has been steadily expanding its fleet and testing its technology in various real-world scenarios [KTVU].
While incidents of vandalism against self-driving vehicles are relatively rare, they have occurred in the past. In 2018, a Waymo vehicle was attacked by a man with a tire iron in Arizona. The incident did not result in any injuries, but it highlighted the potential risks associated with autonomous vehicles [Newsweek].
As the investigation into the San Francisco incident continues, Waymo will need to address concerns about the safety and security of its vehicles as it moves forward with its autonomous ride-hailing service. Public acceptance and trust will be crucial for the widespread adoption of self-driving technology [Forbes].
4.2
7
13
