Waymo's Robotaxi Death Sparks Widespread Criticism of Autonomous Tech

Shares of Waymo's parent company, Alphabet, have not been directly affected by the recent incident involving a Waymo robotaxi and a neighborhood cat named Kit Kat in San Francisco's Mission District. However, the tragic event has sparked renewed criticism of the company's autonomous vehicle technology. The incident occurred on the evening of October 27, when a Waymo robotaxi struck and killed Kit Kat, a beloved neighborhood cat. Locals have since created a shrine to memorialize the cat and decorated the area with competing signs, some criticizing Waymo and others noting the many deaths caused by human drivers. According to The New York Times, Jackie Fielder, a representative of the Mission District on San Francisco's Board of Supervisors, brought up the incident while making the case for a proposed city resolution that calls on the state to allow local voters to decide whether driverless cars can operate in their neighborhoods. Fielder emphasized the lack of accountability in the case, stating, "A human driver can be held accountable, can hop out, say sorry, can be tracked down by police if it's a hit-and-run." In contrast, she noted that with autonomous vehicles, "there is no one to hold accountable." Waymo, whose co-CEO recently spoke about the importance of safety at the Disrupt conference, described the incident as one where a cat darted under their vehicle as it was pulling away. The company expressed its condolences to the cat's owner and the community that knew and loved Kit Kat. The incident has highlighted the ongoing debate about the safety and regulation of autonomous vehicles. While Waymo and other companies have made significant strides in developing and deploying driverless cars, concerns about safety and accountability remain. The proposed city resolution, which would allow local voters to decide whether driverless cars can operate in their neighborhoods, is part of a broader effort to address these concerns. In the aftermath of the incident, Waymo has faced criticism from some in the community, who argue that the company's technology is not yet ready for widespread deployment. However, others have pointed out that human drivers are responsible for a significant number of accidents and fatalities on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, human error is a contributing factor in up to 94% of all crashes. As the debate over autonomous vehicles continues, Waymo and other companies are working to improve the safety and accountability of their technology. The company has implemented various safety features, including multiple redundancies and a system for detecting and responding to potential hazards. However, the incident involving Kit Kat has highlighted the need for further improvements and greater transparency in the development and deployment of autonomous vehicles. The proposed city resolution is currently under consideration, and a decision is expected in the coming months. In the meantime, Waymo and other companies will continue to work on improving the safety and accountability of their technology, with the goal of making autonomous vehicles a safe and reliable option for transportation.