In a recent event, at least five Waymo self-driving cars caught fire in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday as part of immigration protests. Riots broke out as a result of immigration raids by the federal government, and these caused many to protest.
Protest Turns Chaotic in Downtown LA
The event happened at about 6:00 PM near the intersection of Los Angeles Street and Arcadia Street, where many protests often start. It is said that Waymo’s Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicles came into the area at the same time that tensions were building up. At the beginning of the violence, the cars were marked with graffiti; after that, several cars were set on fire.
When the fires spread, LAPD blocked off the streets and told people to steer clear of the area. Members of the Los Angeles Fire Department were quickly sent to the site to put out the fires. Lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles create extra risks for firefighters because they burn and create toxic gases that are hard to put out.
Electric vehicle batteries may give off hydrogen fluoride when they catch fire, threatening the health of those around and the people arriving to handle the situation. Police authorities issued a report warning about the dangers and reminded everyone to avoid the area.
What Did Waymo Say About the Damages?
Waymo said that a number of its vehicles were operating near the protest, but indicated that their vehicle problems did not link to the protests at all. The company mentioned that using its autonomous vehicles in downtown Los Angeles didn’t coincide with the immigration raids or the demonstrations.
Following a request from the LAPD, Waymo stopped offering its autonomous services in the concerned area and is helping with the investigation.
Autonomous Technology’s Effects on Society
As a result of the vehicles being attacked, people are worried that autonomous systems are most at risk when there are public disturbances. The accident may create doubts about how safely driverless fleets are planned and equipped to deal with surprises in cities. This is a big concern for Tesla as they plan to operate a robotaxi service soon in the state.
“Events like this highlight the limitations of autonomous vehicles in volatile human settings,” said Dr. Carla Mendoza, a transportation policy expert at the Urban Mobility Institute. “Without the ability to assess social cues or react to civil disturbances, these vehicles can inadvertently place themselves in harm’s way.”
Investigation Underway
At this moment, authorities are hunting for potential suspects, without having made any arrests connected to the fires. The company is still assessing the damage and has kept silent about the number of damaged vehicles or whether it will take further action.
As a result of vandalizing an autonomous vehicle, this act is now considered a major case of vandalism in the U.S. and may lead to a new approach to managing driverless vehicles in highly crowded cities where protests are common.
The cleanup is underway, and at the same time, officials are making sure the surrounding blocks are clear and safe. Authorities are tracking events in the area since officials anticipate more protests soon.
