Here’s a public service announcement: Waymo’s robotaxis can and will narc on you.
Two California teens found that out the hard way. The plan probably seemed brilliant at the time — ride around in a driverless car, drink some afternoon beverages, and shoot gel beads at stuff out the window. What could go wrong?
Everything, as it turns out.
Waymo’s internal cameras spotted the toy gun (a SplatRBall gel shooter painted black — looked real enough). The robotaxi pulled over and alerted San Mateo Police, who showed up and detained the pair.
“After calling us and stopping the car, we were able to safely remove both subjects and determined they were shooting Orbeez from the car as they sipped on afternoon libations while being chauffeured around town,” police wrote on Facebook.
Waymo’s rules are clear: no drugs or alcohol, no weapons, no throwing things from the car. Under 18? You need an adult. The teens violated pretty much all of those.
The police acknowledged the scheme had “some ingenuity” but pointed out that toy guns can cause real fear. “Shooting projectiles at speed can cause real damage.”
This isn’t the first time a Waymo has snitched. Last year, two men in Los Angeles got reported to police for drinking inside a robotaxi.
At least the teens didn’t get a DUI. The department gave them credit for that much.
