Waymos Burned In L.A. During Protests
There have been protests against the Trump Administration's immigration-enforcement actions in Los Angeles over the weekend, and some Waymo autonomous vehicles have been burned.
There have been protests against the Trump Administration's immigration-enforcement actions in Los Angeles over the weekend, and some Waymo autonomous vehicles have been burned.
Unlike other attacks on self-driving vehicles that we've covered, it doesn't appear that the self-driving abilities of these cars are a motivation for the arson. It simply appears to be a case of wrong place, wrong time.
In a way, it makes sense -- if you're angry enough to torch a car, might as well do it in a way that might not risk drivers or passengers, or ruin someone's property.
That said, it's unclear if the Waymos had passengers aboard, and the company will certainly suffer property damage.
News reports indicate the protests were mostly peaceful, but some cars were burned. It's unclear how many of the Jaguar-based cars were burned, but CBS News shows it appears to be at least five. A Waymo spokesman told the outlet: ""We do not believe our vehicles were intentionally targeted, but rather happened to be present during the protests," the spokesperson said in an email."
Waymo has suspended service in the area for the time being.
[Images: Waymo]
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