Waymo Robotaxi Stops Teens Shooting Gel Beads While Drinking, Alerts Police

Two California teenagers discovered that Waymo's driverless cars monitor passenger conduct and will intervene when rules are broken. The pair rode in the back of a robotaxi while consuming alcohol and firing gel beads at objects outside the vehicle—a prank that ended when Waymo detected the activity, stopped the car, and notified San Mateo Police.

What Happened#

Officers arrived on scene and found the two minors inside the vehicle. "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," the San Mateo Police Department wrote on Facebook.

Not the First Time#

This represents another instance of Waymo's monitoring systems catching passengers in violation of company policies. According to reports on Reddit, the company reported two men in Los Angeles last year for consuming alcohol inside a robotaxi.

Legal Issues#

Beyond Waymo's enforcement, the teenagers faced additional legal complications. Minors consuming alcohol is illegal in all circumstances. Meanwhile, California law treats autonomous vehicle passengers differently than traditional taxi riders—adults in robotaxis must follow open container laws that restrict alcohol consumption in moving vehicles, whereas ride-hailing passengers in human-driven cars face no such restrictions.