When Waymo Robotaxis Become the Kings of Ticket Violations!

Every revolution brings its share of problems, such as the thousands of dollars in parking fines received by Waymo.

Waymo’s robotaxis, meant to represent the future of convenient and safe transportation, seem to have found a more surprising calling: collecting fines. According to the Washington Post, in 2024 in San Francisco, these autonomous vehicles accumulated 589 fines for a total cost of $65,065. A performance that could give any human driver cold sweats.

The majority of infractions, nearly 138, concern non-compliance with street cleaning restrictions. But that’s not all: there are also 134 fines for obstructing traffic, 77 for parking in a prohibited zone, and 74 for double parking. To keep everyone happy, Waymo’s robotaxis in Los Angeles also added their touch by accumulating an additional 75 violations.

Can AI Avoid Parking Tickets?

Despite these setbacks, Waymo remains confident. According to Ethan Teicher, the company’s spokesperson, the Jaguar I-Pace models are designed to detect parking spots and avoid hindering traffic. But between theory and practice, there are sometimes gray areas. For example, these vehicles may stop in commercial loading zones to drop off passengers if alternatives are less safe.

Beyond parking fines, Waymo’s robotaxis aren’t always met with approval. Some San Francisco residents are fed up, especially after incidents like a vehicle being set on fire during Lunar New Year celebrations or autonomous crews honking loudly in the middle of the night in a parking lot.

So, while the future of transportation seems embedded in the circuitry of these cars, it still has a way to go before truly revolutionizing our lives… without causing waves or fines!)

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