Waymo detour leaves passenger stuck in parking garage
- A Waymo robotaxi took a detour into a parking garage instead of proceeding to its intended destination, leading to confusion for the passenger.
- Darren Findling, who was traveling to a convention in San Francisco, managed to contact a Waymo representative for assistance.
- Despite the hiccup, Findling appreciated Waymo’s responsiveness and remains open to using autonomous vehicles again in the future.
In San Francisco, a Waymo passenger experienced an unexpected detour on July 21, 2025. Darren Findling, a Michigan resident, had requested a ride through the Waymo app to attend a convention at the Moscone Center. However, during his journey, the vehicle unexpectedly pulled off the street and entered a multi-level parking garage filled with parked Waymo vehicles, without a human driver present. This incident alarmed Findling, who documented his unusual experience via social media while he was unsure of what was happening. Findling's ride turned into a surreal encounter with self-driving technology as vehicles navigated autonomously within the garage. He felt a stark transition from the bustle of San Francisco to a seemingly robotic environment. After struggling to get help, he was eventually able to reach a Waymo representative, who remotely intervened and restored the vehicle to its original destination. The representative informed Findling that the vehicle had entered the garage under the assumption that it was the fastest route to his conference. It was noted that such occurrences are rare in Waymo's operations. Despite the unusual situation, Findling reported that Waymo was responsive and helpful throughout the process. The company offered him a free ride as compensation for the inconvenience, along with an additional two rides that would expire within a week. Following the incident, Findling expressed that this experience did not negatively impact his view of autonomous vehicles. He recognized the inherent challenges of new technology, acknowledging that advancements are needed for the service to reach its full potential. This incident raises questions about the reliability and decision-making processes of autonomous vehicles, particularly in urban environments. As more people begin to explore self-driving services, monitoring how these vehicles respond to unexpected situations will be crucial for ensuring passenger safety and satisfaction. Waymo, one of the leaders in the self-driving car industry, will need to address these concerns to enhance trust among riders and improve overall service reliability.