Waymo Robotaxi Alerted Police to Passengers
A Waymo robotaxi stopped its journey and alerted authorities to two passengers suspected of violating terms of service and carrying a firearm.
In early September, two teenagers on a Waymo robotaxi ride in Los Angeles ended up in the back of a police car. The robotaxi company stated that the vehicle detected a violation of its terms of service involving a firearm, pulled over, and alerted emergency services, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Police arrested the passengers after allegedly finding a loaded AR-style "ghost gun" in the vehicle. This incident has raised questions about privacy and autonomous vehicles, including what data they record and the extent of passenger privacy expected.
Waymo's camera-equipped cars are designed to detect potential violations of their terms of service, which can include issues like impaired passengers or unauthorized use. However, the company has not previously detailed how this data is utilized or shared with law enforcement.
The case highlights concerns regarding passenger privacy within autonomous vehicles. It remains unclear what specific information the vehicle's systems collect and how that data is employed in investigating or preventing potential criminal activity.