Waymo Robotaxis Disrupt San Francisco Sleep with Incessant Honking
Waymo Robotaxis Cause Noise Disturbance in San Francisco Parking Lot
Recent footage has emerged showing Waymo robotaxis causing a commotion in a San Francisco parking lot, with the autonomous vehicles honking incessantly while attempting to park. The incident has sparked complaints from residents in the South of Market neighborhood, who have been disturbed by the excessive noise.
In a city where horn usage is already common, the Waymo robotaxis have taken it to a new level. Randol White, a local resident, reported being woken up multiple times, including at 4 am, by the robotaxis’ honking. Initially finding the situation amusing, White now describes it as bothersome. Another neighbor, Russell Pofsky, claimed to have experienced more wake-ups in the past two weeks than in the previous 20 years.
Waymo, a subsidiary of Google, has been at the forefront of self-driving technology for 15 years. The company recently expanded its robotaxi service to the entire public in San Francisco. However, this expansion has led to unexpected issues, with the autonomous vehicles taking over a local parking lot and causing disturbances with their honking, back-up beeping, and flashing lights.
Video footage shows the robotaxis struggling to navigate the tight parking space, resulting in delays and increased noise levels. The situation has raised concerns about the vehicles’ ability to operate efficiently in complex urban environments.
Waymo has acknowledged the honking issue and stated that they are working on a solution. However, White criticized the company’s characterization of the problem as “brief,” suggesting that the disturbances have been more frequent and prolonged than Waymo admits.
This incident is not isolated, as previous reports have highlighted robotaxis causing traffic jams and making driving errors. Such issues could potentially deter potential customers from using the service.
White expressed mixed feelings about the robotaxis, appreciating their arrival in the city but disliking the noise disturbance they have caused. As Waymo continues to refine its technology, residents hope for a quick resolution to the honking problem.
In related news, Waymo has recently filed lawsuits against individuals alleged to have vandalized its robotaxis, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by autonomous vehicle companies as they integrate their services into urban environments.
