San Francisco Shocker: Waymo Self-Driving Vehicle Torched in Unprecedented Attack

On the night of February 10, a Waymo self-driving vehicle became the target of a destructive attack in San Francisco's Chinatown. A crowd, initially celebrating the Lunar New Year with fireworks, turned their attention to a white Waymo SUV. The situation quickly escalated as individuals jumped onto the vehicle, breaking the windshield and covering it in graffiti, before a firework was thrown inside, setting the car on fire.

This event, captured on video by witness Michael Vandi, highlighted the growing tensions between the public and autonomous vehicle operators. The severity of the attack—resulting in the vehicle being engulfed in flames—marks a new level of hostility towards driverless cars in the U.S. Waymo, an Alphabet-owned company, confirmed that the car was not carrying any passengers at the time and that there were no injuries. The incident is under investigation by the San Francisco Police Department.

The attack comes in the context of increasing scrutiny over the safety and integration of self-driving vehicles in urban areas. Just last week, a Waymo car was involved in a collision with a cyclist, and the company, along with its competitor Cruise, has faced regulatory and public challenges over their operations. These incidents reflect broader concerns about the impact of autonomous vehicles on public safety and urban life.

As the industry and city officials grapple with these challenges, the future of autonomous vehicles in San Francisco and beyond remains uncertain. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in introducing revolutionary technologies into public spaces, where public acceptance is just as crucial as technological advancement.