Waymo's Driverless Cars Cause Noise in San Francisco

Residents of San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood are expressing frustration over the disruptive noise generated by a fleet of Waymo robotaxis during the early morning hours. Locals report that the autonomous vehicles have been incessantly honking as they return to a nearby parking lot, significantly interrupting their sleep. Video footage captured by residents shows the vehicles blaring their horns while maneuvering into parking spots, often triggering alarms on other cars. In response to the complaints, Waymo acknowledged that the noise issue stems from software designed to prevent slow-moving collisions. The company has since announced updates to this software, promising that their electric vehicles will minimize noise disturbances for nearby residents moving forward. Despite these assurances, the situation has raised concerns among safety advocates, who are calling for increased oversight of autonomous vehicle operations in the city. Activist Edward Escobar emphasized the need for regulatory measures, stating, “We are not guinea pigs here in San Francisco.” The ongoing presence of Waymo and Amazon’s Zoox driverless cars in the city suggests that the issue may persist, as both companies continue to operate their fleets. The disturbances began in late July when Waymo began using a parking lot near local apartment buildings for its vehicles. Sophia Tung, a resident affected by the noise, has taken to livestreaming the honking chaos, highlighting the growing discontent among those living in the area.