Vandals Targeted Several Waymo Self-Driving Taxis,

Even When a Passenger Was Inside in a Tense Situation.

Tensions Rise as Waymo Robotaxis Face Vandalism in San Francisco

 

 

Waymo robotaxis face increasing vandalism in San Francisco. Explore what’s fueling public outrage, privacy concerns, and the tech backlash against autonomous vehicles.

In a bizarre and dystopian scene, a front-seat passenger clutches a small beige poodle while onlookers corner a halted Waymo self-driving taxi. Some of them then proceed to spray graffiti on the vehicle an act that reflects growing public unrest over autonomous cars.

A String of Coordinated Attacks

According to the San Francisco Police Department, this wasn’t an isolated incident. On the evening of September 21, three separate Waymo vehicles were vandalized in the city’s Mission District. The suspects wore masks and recorded themselves tagging the robotaxis using spray paint.

Police confirmed that the incidents were reported by the autonomous vehicle operator through an online complaint. However, they did not clarify which of the three events was depicted in a now-viral video circulating online.

Purposeful Provocation or Protest?

The fact that vandals recorded the attacks suggests a deliberate attempt to draw attention. This growing resistance to autonomous vehicles isn’t new, especially in San Francisco. Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet (Google’s parent company), recently expanded its operations in the city despite ongoing controversies.

From tires being slashed to cars set ablaze, the Mission District has seen increasing hostility toward these driverless cars. These events paint a stark contrast to the tech industry’s optimistic vision of a self-driving future.

Not Everyone Is Onboard

While some tech-savvy passengers express excitement over robotaxis on social media, many others see them as invasive, unsafe, and even harmful to human livelihoods. These vehicles are equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, leading to privacy concerns among citizens.

Additionally, labor advocates argue that robotaxis threaten jobs traditionally held by human drivers. Safety is another major issue. Waymo vehicles have reportedly committed dangerous traffic violations, including driving into oncoming traffic. As of May, federal investigators were reviewing over 20 such incidents.

Cruise’s Cautionary Tale

Waymo isn’t the only company under scrutiny. Rival firm Cruise faced severe backlash last year when one of its autonomous vehicles dragged a woman following a collision. That incident led to an $8 million settlement and prompted the company to pull its fleet off San Francisco streets.

These incidents serve as cautionary tales for the industry, highlighting the real risks autonomous vehicles pose to pedestrians and other road users.

Is a Backlash Brewing?

The combination of legal disputes, safety concerns, and fears of AI-driven job loss appears to be radicalizing some citizens. What might have started as skepticism has now turned into outright resistance. Some are beginning to act out in ways that echo the anti-technology sentiment of the original Luddites.

If this trend continues, expect an increasingly hostile environment for robotaxi companies and a rougher ride ahead for the future of autonomous travel.

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