Waymo Robotaxi Stops Two Teens from Conducting Drive-By Gel Bead Shootings

Two California teens recently learned a valuable lesson about the rules of riding in a Waymo robotaxi. On a Friday afternoon, while enjoying drinks in the self-driving vehicle, they engaged in a reckless prank, shooting gel beads from a toy gun. Waymo's system detected the misbehavior and immediately alerted the San Mateo Police, leading to their detention.

Incident Details and Police Response

According to a Facebook post by the San Mateo Police Department, the robotaxi stopped after detecting the illegal activities. Officers arrived to find the teens had been drinking alcohol while shooting Orbeez from the vehicle. The police report stated, “After calling us and stopping the car, we were able to safely remove both subjects and determined they were shooting Orbeez from the car as they sipped on afternoon libations while being chauffeured around town in the driverless vehicle.”

This incident is not an isolated case. Last year, two men in Los Angeles were reported to police for similar offenses involving alcohol consumption in a Waymo vehicle. While adults can drink in taxis in California, the rules differ for ride-hailing passengers, making this a clear violation.

Waymo's Strict Policies on Passenger Behavior

Waymo maintains strict guidelines for passengers, which prohibit the use of drugs or alcohol regardless of local laws. Additionally, minors must be accompanied by an adult, and throwing objects from the vehicle is strictly forbidden. The teens’ toy gun, a SplatRBall gel bead shooter painted black, raised alarms due to its resemblance to a real firearm in the robotaxi's internal cameras.

The police emphasized the dangers posed by toy guns, stating, “While there was some ingenuity to this scheme, toy guns, water guns, and BB guns all pose real dangers, especially to an untrained eye.” The handling of such items can incite fear among the public, and shooting projectiles from a moving vehicle can cause injury.

Consequences and Takeaways

While the incident ended without serious repercussions, the police highlighted the potential consequences for the teens, particularly regarding underage drinking. Fortunately, they avoided charges related to driving under the influence. The incident serves as a reminder of the responsibilities associated with using autonomous vehicles and the importance of adhering to established rules.

Waymo’s surveillance capabilities, including the ability to access live video during trips, mean that passengers should be aware of their actions at all times. As autonomous technology becomes more prevalent, understanding and respecting the rules of engagement will be crucial for all riders.