In San Francisco, two juveniles were arrested after a Waymo robotaxi pulled over and notified police about their possession of a loaded AR-style ghost gun. The incident highlights the vehicle's ability to detect violations of its terms of service. The riders were subsequently taken to juvenile hall.
This is not the first time a Waymo vehicle has reported passengers; earlier this year, it stopped due to passengers engaging in unsafe behavior. Waymo confirmed the vehicle involved in the latest incident was one of its own.
This incident raises questions about the ethical implications of autonomous vehicles acting as informants. As Waymo continues to refine its technology, observers should monitor how these vehicles balance user privacy with safety enforcement, especially in urban settings.