A Waymo robo-taxi in San Francisco was set on fire on Saturday during a Lunar New Year celebration by an avenging crowd. Videos posted from the event showed the flaming vehicle engulfed in smoke and parked on a crowded nighttime street. Waymo cars are among several autonomous vehicle companies that have been under scrutiny in San Francisco, where mistrust toward driverless technology is high.
According to the local fire department, the vehicle was surrounded, spray-painted, and set on fire by the crowd. Although there were no passengers, the car was reduced to an ashen shell. Waymo spokesperson Sandy Karp confirmed the incident and stated that the company is working closely with local safety officials to address the situation. The motive behind the attack is unclear, but this is not the first instance of Waymo cars facing public resentment as critics argue about their safety and efficiency. Waymo began testing driverless taxis in 2022 under various restrictions in San Francisco and has faced several problems since then.
Overall, this incident highlights the growing mistrust and skepticism surrounding the use of driverless technology in an urban environment. Videos and reports of Waymo vehicles obstructing public transport and driving into the scene of a fire have only added fuel to the public’s worries and fears. It remains to be seen how driverless taxi companies will address these challenges and increase public confidence in their services.
