On a quiet Sunday night in San Francisco, a rider in a Waymo driverless car found himself facing an unnerving situation: a stranger attempted to break into the vehicle while it was stopped at a red light.
The incident unfolded when the man approached the Waymo vehicle, attempting to open the door and peering inside. After failing to gain entry, he knocked on the window and motioned for the rider to unlock the door. He then brandished an object that some speculate might have been a knife, though the glare in the video makes it hard to confirm. The rider, uncertain and anxious, recounted, “I’m not sure it was a knife. Maybe it was a tool to break car windows”.
The situation left the passenger feeling trapped and vulnerable, as there was no human driver to respond by accelerating away. “The scariest part was that I felt a bit helpless without a driver that could have just floored the gas to get us out of the situation,” he added. Fortunately, when the light turned green, the Waymo vehicle resumed its route, safely delivering the rider home.
In the aftermath, the rider contacted Waymo to report the incident. According to him, Waymo was “very supportive,” following up with a check-in email the next day and a phone call from a company supervisor. The company advised the rider that in situations like this, he could press an emergency button on the Waymo app to alert authorities, triggering a 911 call in line with Waymo’s safety protocols. This response has underscored Waymo’s commitment to rider safety while also spotlighting the challenges posed by the company’s fully autonomous service.
This attempted break-in has sparked mixed reactions. Many have voiced concerns over the safety of autonomous vehicles, questioning their vulnerability to unauthorized access and how they handle emergency situations involving human confrontations. With incidents like these, some skeptics are beginning to view driverless cars as a potential liability rather than a convenience. Reddit users also weighed in, with some suggesting that Waymo include a feature to honk the horn from the app to deter potential intruders.
As a leader in autonomous driving technology, Waymo has implemented robust security measures to protect its vehicles and passengers. The company utilizes tamper-proof sensors and hardware designed to prevent unauthorized access and tampering. In addition, critical systems in Waymo cars have redundancies to ensure functionality, even if one system is compromised. This multi-layered security approach includes end-to-end data protection and real-time threat detection.
To further bolster safety, Waymo conducts regular software updates and penetration testing. These proactive measures are aimed at maintaining security against emerging threats, with Waymo continuously collaborating with cybersecurity experts to enhance its systems.
Adding to the tension are the controversies surrounding Waymo’s vehicles, which have occasionally blocked traffic and interfered with emergency services. Local authorities and residents are now calling for better oversight and regulation of autonomous services. In particular, many argue that local governments should play a more active role in determining how these vehicles integrate into public spaces.
Waymo’s entry into autonomous ridesharing has undeniably pushed the boundaries of urban mobility, offering a glimpse of a future where human drivers are no longer required. Yet, as incidents like this demonstrate, there are still kinks to work out in the technology.
For now, Waymo’s fleet continues to operate in San Francisco and other cities, with a growing focus on transparency, safety, and responding effectively to incidents. This incident serves as a reminder that the future of autonomous vehicles hinges not only on technological advancements but also on gaining public trust and ensuring the safety of all road users.
