In Los Angeles, a mob targets Waymo’s self-driving taxis, vandalizing and destroying several unmanned vehicles Sunday.
A self-driving taxi by Waymo, part of Google, became a focus of vandalism and arson amid protests in downtown Los Angeles. Some demonstrators claimed there was no real emergency.
On that day, a crowd gathered in the Civic Center and moved onto the 101 highway around 3:30 PM, which led to significant delays. California Highway Patrol officers attempted to disperse the gathering, detaining some individuals. Tensions escalated as the mob redirected their attention to five Waymo Taxis parked on Los Angeles Street, between Arcadia and Alameda Streets.
Eyewitnesses reported that the protesters slashed tires, broke windows, and sprayed anti-ice slogans on the cars. The situation worsened quickly, with three of the targeted Waymo Taxis igniting, sending plumes of black smoke into the air. Some protesters used skateboards to smash windows, while others employed makeshift devices to set the cars ablaze.
As the Waymo Taxis burned, protesters added to the chaos by throwing lime electric scooters into the flames. The burning vehicles emitted loud noises that drew attention from both rioters and police helicopters. Firefighters responded to the scene, while police urged bystanders to leave due to toxic fumes from the burning lithium-ion batteries.
Since November, Waymo has been operating a fleet of electric, self-driving taxis in Los Angeles after successful launches in places like San Francisco and Phoenix. The company stated it was coordinating with law enforcement regarding the downtown incident, voicing concerns for the safety of the public and passengers. The destruction of Waymo Taxis during the protests raised concerns about the safety of autonomous vehicles in volatile situations.
Reports have noted previous incidents involving Waymo Robotaxis, particularly in San Francisco.
Several Waymo passengers, particularly women, have reported unsettling experiences where individuals attempted to interact with their unmanned vehicles. These situations made it challenging for riders to quickly change routes or call for help, given the absence of a human driver, leading to feelings of vulnerability.
One tech worker, Stephanie, shared a frightening encounter where several young men seemed to follow her Waymo taxi late at night, accompanied by unsettling shouts from bystanders. She found herself unable to reroute the vehicle to her home or contact the authorities.
Others have recounted similar experiences, including instances where pedestrians attempted to enter a driverless vehicle or obstruct its path. While Waymo claims such incidents are rare, they acknowledge the unpredictable nature of human behavior poses challenges for programming self-driving technology.
Please read more in the Los Angeles Times.
