UPDATE: A Waymo robotaxi made an unexpected detour on the morning of October 16, 2023, trapping a passenger inside a parking garage packed with other autonomous vehicles in San Francisco. This bizarre incident occurred as Darren Findling, a Michigan resident, was en route to a conference at the Moscone Center.
Findling’s experience, which he shared on social media, highlights the unpredictability of autonomous vehicle technology. In a shocking twist, the robotaxi suddenly diverted from its intended route and drove into a multi-level parking structure, leaving him bewildered among a fleet of Waymo vehicles.
“What was crazy about this parking structure was that I went from normal humanity into robot world,” Findling recounted. “Self-driving vehicles were going up and down the floors, and I was in this vehicle, not sure of what I was supposed to do.”
After attempting to navigate the situation, Findling managed to contact a Waymo representative, who was able to override the vehicle and redirect it back to the correct path. “They couldn’t figure out why I was there or what caused the vehicle to go there,” he said. “They mentioned it was quite rare for something like this to happen.”
Waymo later explained that the vehicle determined the parking garage was the quickest route to Findling’s destination. Despite the unusual hiccup, Findling praised the company for its responsiveness, stating, “They did provide me with a free ride, and they told me I would get two free rides that would expire in about a week.”
When asked if he would use Waymo’s services again, Findling maintained a balanced perspective: “I do realize that technology is not perfect, and there’s a way to go for this Waymo to be really perfect.”
This incident raises important questions about the reliability of self-driving technology and the experiences of users in unexpected situations. As Waymo continues to expand its autonomous taxi services in urban areas, incidents like this highlight both the potential and the challenges of integrating such technology into everyday life.
As the world watches the evolution of autonomous vehicles, this incident serves as a reminder of the journey ahead for companies like Waymo. What happens next will be closely monitored as technological advancements continue to evolve.
