Cone Wars: "San Francisco Protesters vs. Self-Driving Cars"

Image: forbes.com

Waymo and Cruise are two of the leading companies developing self-driving car technology. Both companies have been testing their robotaxis in limited areas for several years, and they are now both looking to expand their operations.

Image: forbes.com

Waymo is a subsidiary of Google parent company Alphabet. It has been testing its self-driving cars in the Phoenix area since 2017, and it also operates a small fleet of robotaxis in San Francisco. Waymo's cars are equipped with a variety of sensors, including lidar, radar, and cameras. These sensors allow the cars to see their surroundings and make decisions about how to navigate.

Cruise is a spin-off of autos giant GM. It has been testing its self-driving cars in San Francisco since 2016, and it also operates a small fleet of robotaxis in Phoenix. Cruise's cars are also equipped with a variety of sensors, and they use a similar technology to Waymo's cars to navigate.

In 2023, Waymo and Cruise are both looking to expand their robotaxi fleets in San Francisco. Waymo is also looking to expand its operations to Los Angeles, and Cruise is looking to expand its operations to Austin, Texas.

Image: forbes.com

Waymo and Cruise robotaxis have faced a number of challenges, including:

Safety concerns: Both companies have had accidents involving their robotaxis, and there are concerns about the safety of these vehicles. In 2018, a Waymo car hit and killed a pedestrian in Arizona, and in 2022, a Cruise car was involved in a crash with a fire truck in San Francisco.
Technical challenges: Self-driving car technology is still in its early stages, and there are a number of technical challenges that need to be overcome before these vehicles can be widely deployed. These challenges include dealing with unpredictable road conditions, bad weather, and other unexpected events.
Legal challenges: There are also a number of legal challenges that need to be addressed before self-driving cars can be widely deployed. These challenges include determining who is liable in the event of an accident, and developing regulations that govern the operation of these vehicles.
Obstruction of emergency vehicles: In some cases, Waymo and Cruise robotaxis have obstructed emergency vehicles, such as fire trucks and ambulances. This has led to calls for regulations that would require these vehicles to yield to emergency vehicles.
Interference with traffic: Waymo and Cruise robotaxis have also been reported to interfere with traffic, such as by blocking lanes or causing traffic jams. This has led to calls for regulations that would limit the operation of these vehicles in certain areas or during certain times of day.
Privacy concerns: Some people have raised privacy concerns about Waymo and Cruise robotaxis, as these vehicles are equipped with cameras that can record everything that happens around them. This has led to calls for regulations that would protect the privacy of passengers and pedestrians who are around these vehicles.

Image: forbes.com

A group of people in San Francisco have been protesting Waymo and Cruise robotaxis by placing traffic cones on their hoods. The group, called Safe Streets Rebel, says that they are protesting the expansion of robotaxi services in the city, and that they believe that these vehicles are a danger to pedestrians and cyclists.

The group's method of protest is simple. They approach a robotaxi that is parked and unoccupied, and they place a traffic cone on the hood. This prevents the car from being able to drive away, and it also forces the company to send a technician to remove the cone.

Safe Streets Rebel says that they are not trying to damage the cars, and that they are not trying to interfere with the operation of the robotaxi service. They say that they are simply trying to raise awareness of their concerns about the safety of these vehicles.

Waymo and Cruise have both condemned the group's actions, and they have said that they are working with the police to investigate the matter. They say that placing traffic cones on the hoods of their cars is a form of vandalism, and that it could also be dangerous if it prevents the cars from being able to drive away in an emergency.

A group of San Franciscans realized that they can disable Waymo and Cruise robotaxis by placing a traffic cone on the vehicle's hood.

They're now encouraging others to do it: "Hell no, we do not consent to this." pic.twitter.com/ZrYhy4OATy
— David Zipper (@DavidZipper) July 6, 2023