Waymo Robotaxi Detected Ghost Gun, Pulled Over and Called Police on Juvenile Passengers
A Waymo robotaxi operating in San Francisco made headlines this week after its safety systems detected a firearm on board and took autonomous action. The vehicle pulled over and alerted authorities when it identified what the company later confirmed was a "violation of our terms of service involving a firearm."
The incident involved two juveniles in possession of a loaded AR-style ghost gun. Police responded to the scene and arrested both individuals, who were then taken to juvenile hall. Waymo subsequently confirmed to the Los Angeles Times that the incident occurred in one of its vehicles.
This isn't the first time a Waymo has made an unexpected stop. Earlier this year, reports surfaced of a Waymo vehicle that appeared to fake mechanical problems to pull over, though the circumstances of that incident were unrelated to safety concerns. The latest episode highlights how autonomous vehicles are increasingly equipped with systems capable of monitoring their environments and responding to potential threats, though questions remain about the specific detection mechanisms and decision-making protocols involved.