Waymo’s autonomous car was vandalized and set on fire in the US

Last Saturday (10), an autonomous car belonging to the Waymo company was set on fire in San Francisco, California, USA. The model was driving without passengers when the attack was recorded and was completely destroyed.

While the vehicle was in Chinatown “The crowd surrounded the vehicle and destroyed it”. In addition to spray painting the bodywork, the defendant They broke the car windows and threw fireworkscauses it to catch fire instantly.

The car in question was being used as an autonomous taxi in the city, and according to reports, the action does not appear to be coordinated. A small group began vandalizing the car and later more people joined the crowd.

The city’s Fire Department did not arrive in time to save the vehicle but extinguished the fire before it could cause further damage nearby. In an official note, Waymo said that “Working closely with local security authorities“To investigate the situation.

Protests against autonomous vehicles grow

The San Francisco area is one of the most advanced regions in the United States in the application of autonomous vehicles without human drivers in urban passenger transportation. For this reason, it has become an area where protests against the arrival of technology are frequently held.

Last year, protesters has come so far Placing cones on vehicles to confuse sensors To prevent vehicles from traveling in the area. Some local authorities also control the license for cars to drive around 24 hours a day.

The Waymo Vehicle was surrounded and then graffitied, windows broken, and fireworks lit inside the vehicle, ultimately setting the entire vehicle on fire. #SFFD
Photos: Séraphine Hossenlopp pic.twitter.com/aOTqL3Rk8V

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) February 11, 2024

Cruise, another driverless vehicle company, License to operate in the city revoked in 2023 After an accident involving a pedestrian that disrupted the work of the fire brigade. Still, this is the first time an autonomous car has been completely disabled by protesters.