Waymo’s Drive-Thru Dilemma

A woman in Los Angeles encountered a peculiar situation on Friday when a Waymo driverless car, part of Google’s autonomous vehicle initiative, unexpectedly drove the wrong way into a drive-thru without slowing down.

Her son was with her, capturing the moment as the car ignored the proper line and instead proceeded to enter the drive-thru from the reverse side.

“Wei Wei! We have to go through the drive-thru on the other side!” he shouted as the vehicle approached, making light of the unusual arrival. “Sorry, you can’t park here,” he joked as it came to a stop.

Despite the awkward situation, the woman got into the vehicle without any hesitation. “God, mom, stay safe!” her son said as she settled in.

While the precise cause of this bizarre incident remains unclear, it highlights real-world challenges for self-driving technology. For instance, in February, Waymo cars were immobilized in floodwaters during heavy rains in Los Angeles.

Waymo had previously stated its vehicles could function in adverse weather conditions, claiming capabilities to handle rain, fog, sandstorms, and freezing temperatures. Yet, it remains uncertain if anyone had been trapped in the aforementioned situation or if they had safely exited before it occurred.

The company mentioned plans to “closely monitor weather conditions” in its operating cities and adjust its services as necessary. Despite assurances about all-weather performance, some have raised concerns regarding their reliance on remote operators situated abroad.