An enraged mob in San Francisco took their opposition to self-driving taxis to extreme lengths by vandalizing and setting fire to a Waymo driverless car.
The incident involved a Jaguar I-Pace SUV equipped with self-driving technology. Fortunately, no passengers were on board at the time, and there were no reported injuries, according to Waymo.
This attack comes amidst growing discontent with autonomous vehicles, particularly among some residents in San Francisco. Last month, individuals in the city’s Chinatown district were seen assaulting the Waymo vehicle, smashing its windows, and ultimately igniting a firework inside, causing it to catch fire.
The disturbing footage of the incident circulated online, prompting Waymo to cooperate with law enforcement in their investigation. A spokesperson for the company reiterated that no passengers were harmed and expressed their commitment to working with local authorities to address the situation.
According to reports from the San Francisco Fire Department, the vehicle was targeted when someone placed a lit firework inside, leading to the destruction of the entire vehicle. Graffiti was also sprayed on the vehicle during the attack.
This violent act underscores the resistance to self-driving taxis in San Francisco, a sentiment that is mirrored in national surveys. A survey conducted by the American Automobile Association (AAA) in 2023 revealed that 68% of respondents expressed fear of riding in self-driving vehicles, marking a significant increase from previous years.
Greg Brannon, the director of automotive research for AAA, noted the unexpected decline in trust toward autonomous technology. He attributed this shift in sentiment to high-profile accidents involving vehicles relying on automated systems.
Interestingly, almost three years prior to this destructive attack, Waymo had released a study demonstrating the superior driving capabilities of its robotaxis compared to human drivers.
However, this recent incident highlights the challenges facing the widespread acceptance of autonomous vehicles, particularly in communities where skepticism and fear persist.
