In a shocking turn of events, a Waymo self-driving vehicle was vandalized and set ablaze by a crowd using a firework in San Francisco on Saturday, marking a disturbing escalation in attacks on autonomous vehicles in the United States.
According to reports from both the Alphabet-owned company and local authorities, the incident unfolded late Saturday night in the city’s vibrant Chinatown district. Witnesses described a chaotic scene where a group of individuals surrounded a white SUV, identified as a Waymo vehicle, as it traversed a street.
Michael Vandi, a witness who captured videos of the incident, recounted that the crowd was apparently celebrating China’s Lunar New Year by setting off fireworks. Amid the festivities, individuals jumped onto the vehicle’s hood, breaking its windshield and causing significant damage. Subsequently, the situation spiraled out of control, with some members of the crowd vandalizing the car with graffiti and skateboards, eventually culminating in the vehicle being engulfed in flames.
Waymo confirmed that a firework was thrown inside the vehicle, igniting the blaze. Thankfully, the car was not transporting any passengers at the time, and no injuries were reported. The San Francisco Fire Department responded to the scene, extinguishing the fire and documenting the charred remains of the vehicle.
The San Francisco Police Department has launched an investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the fire and identify any perpetrators. Meanwhile, Waymo assured that it would cooperate with local authorities and continue providing its services during the ongoing Lunar New Year festivities.
While incidents of harassment against self-driving vehicles have occurred in the past, the severity of this attack underscores growing public hostility towards autonomous technology, particularly following a tragic accident involving a vehicle operated by General Motors’ Cruise unit last year.
Despite such setbacks, companies like Waymo remain committed to advancing autonomous technology. Waymo, known for its driverless ride-hailing service in Phoenix, Arizona, aims to expand its operations to other cities like Los Angeles and Austin, Texas.
As investigations into the San Francisco incident continue, it raises concerns about the safety and acceptance of self-driving vehicles in urban environments. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead in the integration of autonomous technology into everyday life.