Crowds destroy Waymo’s driverless tax. (Image source – X)
Self-driving cars face challenges from regulators and road users.
There have been several incidents involving vehicles: Crowds set fire to Google Waymo in San Francisco
Self-driving cars use sensors, cameras, computers and algorithms to perceive the environment, monitor systems, control the vehicle and operate without human input. Levels of automation range from partially assisting the human driver to completely replacing the human driver.
Autonomous vehicles have the potential to make our roads safer, more efficient and more sustainable, but they also face a number of technical, ethical and regulatory challenges that the industry must address to ensure all road users feel safe using and around vehicles.
The regulation of self-driving cars on public roads has been the subject of much debate in the last few years. Although there is growing acceptance of self-driving cars on public roads, some remain concerned about the risks they pose, especially when it comes to the safety of the public and passengers.
Self-driving vehicles are a rapidly developing technology that is subject to different regulations in different states in the U.S. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 29 states and Washington, D.C. have enacted laws regarding autonomous vehicles. The U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also provide federal guidelines and recommendations for testing and deploying autonomous vehicles.
However, the rules differ in terms of the definition of a vehicle operator, the presence of a safety driver, the level of automation, and requirements for recording and reporting data. In March 2022, the US government allowed the introduction of driverless vehicles without steering wheels or pedals, as long as the vehicles meet other safety standards. Thus, autonomous vehicles are permitted in the US, but are subject to various conditions and restrictions depending on the state and type of vehicle.
Self-driving cars are subject to similar rules in every country, including China, which has already legalized the use of robotaxis, with various conditions and restrictions depending on the level of automation and the vehicle’s intended use.
The fire comes amid simmering tensions between San Francisco residents and self-driving car operators.
Accidents involving self-driving cars
Autonomous vehicles are classified into five levels that are commonly accepted by industries around the world. Level 4 and 5 autonomous vehicles can operate without any human intervention as the technology controls the vehicle. However, accidents involving these vehicles always raise concerns.
There have been several accidents involving self-driving vehicles in the United States recently. Some have been minor, but there have also been several more serious accidents in which passengers and road users have suffered serious injuries or lost their lives.
Recently, a Google Waymo self-driving car was involved in an accident in San Francisco, where the car reportedly struck a cyclist who was riding behind a truck that was swerving across its path.
Last year, the California DMV suspended Cruise’s robotaxis after one struck a pedestrian and dragged him several meters into the road, following reports of self-driving cars causing traffic jams and crashing into other vehicles.
Recently, a crowd vandalized a Waymo driverless taxi when, as reported by The Verge, a person jumped onto the hood of the vehicle and smashed the windshield. The crowd applauded the incident, then surrounded the vehicle, smashing the windows, vandalizing it, and eventually setting it on fire.
There are no reports pinpointing the exact motive for the incident. A Waymo representative told The Verge that the self-driving car “was not carrying passengers” when it was attacked. The cause of the fire was reportedly a firework thrown inside the vehicle.
This incident is likely the first major incident of a crowd destroying a self-driving car.
A Waymo self-driving car drives along Market Street in San Francisco on November 17, 2023. (Jason Henry/AFP)
Would more regulation solve the problem?
The recent incident in San Francisco should be a wake-up call for operators and lawmakers: There’s no denying that the public is still unconvinced about the safety of fully self-driving cars.
California lawmakers and labor unions have rallied to push for legislation to ban self-driving trucks without human drivers amid safety concerns following accidents involving self-driving taxis from General Motors and Alphabet, Reuters reported. California lawmakers have introduced two bills calling for stricter regulations.
“These accidents highlight the need for legislation,” said Senator Dave Cortese, who is sponsoring a bill that would give cities the authority to issue autonomous vehicle (AV) permits and enforce AV-specific laws. The second bill would require that a trained human driver be behind the wheel of any autonomous vehicle weighing over 10,001 pounds, including commercial trucks.
These regulations relate to autonomous commercial vehicles, but may also impact how autonomous vehicles are operated and managed in the future.
“Keeping humans in trucks is a common sense step until we have a plan for workers and are confident that tech companies aren’t forcing dangerous technology on us,” said State Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar Curry.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed called the Waymo incident a “dangerous and destructive act of vandalism” and praised the city’s role as a testing ground for the development of self-driving cars.
“Our city is home to exciting emerging technologies that are changing the world, including self-driving cars,” Breed said.
Aaron Raj
Aaron enjoys writing about enterprise technology in the region. He has attended and covered numerous local and international technology expos, events, and forums and spoken to some of the prominent technology personalities in the industry. With over 10 years of experience in the media industry, Aaron has previously covered politics, business, sports, and entertainment news.
