Passengers in a Waymo vehicle were left shaken after the car drove into a lit fireworks display in the middle of a San Francisco street during Independence Day celebrations. The incident, which occurred over the weekend, has raised concerns about the safety of driverless vehicles in crowded urban areas.
Video footage of the incident shows the passengers reacting in horror as the driverless car approaches the fireworks. Someone on the street is seen waving their hand to warn the vehicle to stop, but it continues to drive forward, passing over the colorful flames and sparks.
A passenger can be heard saying, "Our Waymo just drove into a firework." Another passenger asks, "Are we on fire, dude?" Fortunately, there were no injuries to the passengers or the vehicle, and the company reached out to the riders after their trip.
A spokesperson for Waymo stated that the company is committed to keeping its riders safe and earning the trust of the communities where it operates. The company takes situations like this seriously and is committed to evaluating and learning from these events.
The incident highlights the challenges of operating driverless vehicles in complex urban environments. Waymo vehicles were also affected by extreme traffic congestion in northern San Francisco, which caused some vehicles to become stuck for hours and eventually have their batteries die.
Waymo's roadside assistance team worked with local authorities and emergency services to clear the vehicles from the area. The company's priority is keeping San Francisco moving safely, especially during major city celebrations.
