Two California teenagers were detained Monday after a Waymo robotaxi detected suspicious behavior during their ride and alerted police in San Mateo, demonstrating the vehicle's surveillance capabilities in real time.
The teenagers were allegedly spotted drinking alcohol and shooting Orbeez—small squishy beads that absorb water—from the windows with toy guns. The vehicle parked itself in a nearby lot and locked the passengers inside until authorities arrived. A video posted to social media shows around five armed officers and a K9 unit circling the Waymo, which responded to the alert as a high-risk traffic stop, NBC first reported.
Waymo detected the behavior using the interior cameras and microphones aboard all its robotaxis, which the company describes on its support page as “the ‘eyes and ears’ of our Waymo Driver.” The technology is designed to keep vehicles clean, help passengers find lost items, and provide assistance. The San Mateo Police Department noted on social media: “Parents, do you know where your teens are? Waymo does!”
This incident highlights the privacy and safety trade-offs inherent in autonomous ride-hailing services. Waymo's ability to monitor passenger behavior in real time offers clear security benefits but also raises questions about consent and data use. As driverless taxis become more common, such events may shape public perception and regulation.
Fast Company reached out to Waymo but did not immediately receive comment. The company has not yet stated whether it plans to update its monitoring policies in light of this incident.