Robotaxis are now turning into robocops.
A self-driving Waymo reported two teens to San Mateo police on Monday after they were found drinking alcohol and shooting toy guns in the back of the vehicle. The autonomous vehicle then stopped in a parking lot and waited for law enforcement to arrive.
According to a social media post from the San Mateo Police Department, officers detained two 15-year-olds after Waymo contacted the department and waited for them to show up.
“Parents, do you know where your teens are?” the San Mateo Police Department wrote on Facebook. “Waymo does!”
What Happened
Officers removed both teens from the vehicle and determined they were using toy guns to shoot Orbeez out the windows. Orbeez are small, water-absorbing beads sold at toy stores.
“Toy guns, water guns, and BB guns all pose real dangers, especially to an untrained eye,” the Police Department said. “The simple handling of them can cause fear in passersby.”
A video posted on Facebook shows at least five officers and a police dog responding to the scene and approaching the Waymo with their weapons raised.
How Waymo Monitors Riders
Waymo vehicles have internal cameras and microphones that may be used in an emergency or to “promote safety and security,” according to Waymo’s online support page. The cameras are also used to ensure the vehicles are clean and to help find lost items.
The company said it does not use facial recognition or other biometric identification technologies to identify individuals. However, “in more urgent circumstances, support may access live video during a trip,” the Waymo page said.
Waymo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Reaction
The San Mateo Police Department’s Facebook post has garnered nearly 60 comments, with one user accusing Waymo of “snitching.” Another user commented: “At least they got a designated driver?!”
The Bottom Line
A self-driving Waymo in San Mateo, California, called police on two 15-year-old passengers who were drinking alcohol and shooting toy guns from the vehicle. The autonomous car stopped and waited for officers to arrive. Police detained the teens and determined they were using toy guns to shoot Orbeez water beads. Waymo vehicles have internal cameras that can be accessed in emergencies to monitor passengers.
