San Francisco, CA – A driverless Waymo robotaxi was engulfed in flames in San Francisco’s Chinatown on the evening of Saturday, February 10, 2024, after a crowd celebrating the Lunar New Year vandalized the vehicle and threw a firework inside. The incident, which left the autonomous car a charred wreck, occurred while the vehicle was not carrying any passengers, and no injuries were reported.
The dramatic event unfolded on a street crowded with people celebrating the Lunar New Year. Eyewitness accounts and videos posted on social media show a group of individuals surrounding the white Jaguar I-PACE, which is operated by Waymo, a subsidiary of Google’s parent company, Alphabet. The crowd reportedly grew agitated, with some individuals jumping on the hood of the car and breaking its windows.
The situation escalated when a firework was thrown into the vehicle, igniting a fire that quickly spread and consumed the entire car. Firefighters arrived at the scene to extinguish the blaze, but the vehicle was completely destroyed.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed condemned the act of vandalism and arson, calling it “dangerous and destructive.” In a statement, she emphasized the risk such an act posed in a densely populated neighborhood like Chinatown.
Waymo confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that the vehicle was fully autonomous and was not transporting any riders at the time. The company stated it is “working closely with local safety officials to respond to the situation.”
This incident highlights growing tensions and public apprehension surrounding the deployment of autonomous vehicles in San Francisco and other cities. It is one of several recent instances of public backlash against robotaxis, which have included other acts of vandalism and protests. The attack on the Waymo vehicle in Chinatown is considered one of the most destructive acts against an autonomous vehicle to date.
Authorities are investigating the incident, but no immediate arrests were made. The event has sparked a renewed debate about the safety, regulation, and public acceptance of self-driving car technology on city streets.
