Waymo Adjusts Robotaxi Service Ahead of Nationwide Protests
Alphabet-owned robotaxi company Waymo is making changes to its service in response to the scheduled nationwide “No Kings” protests against President Donald Trump and his policies taking place this Saturday.
A Waymo spokesperson confirmed to Wired on Friday that service will be limited in San Francisco, Austin, Atlanta, and Phoenix, with operations completely suspended in Los Angeles. The duration of the limited service remains unclear.
Last weekend, during protests in Los Angeles over the Trump administration’s immigration policies, five Waymo vehicles were vandalized, set on fire, and spray painted with anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) messages. This led to Waymo suspending service in downtown LA as a precautionary measure.
The motive behind the targeting of Waymo vehicles by protestors is not entirely clear. One possible reason could be the perception of these vehicles as surveillance tools, given that police departments have previously requested robotaxi footage for investigative purposes. Waymo, however, asserts that it challenges requests that it deems overly broad or lacking a legal basis.
In light of the recent events, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the city’s fire chief stated that during times of civil unrest, they will not attempt to extinguish fires set to vehicles unless they pose a threat to nearby buildings.
