Waymo's robotaxis began driving more like humans, showing assertive behaviors such as honking and rolling starts. Waymo claimed these humanlike behaviors improved safety. San Bruno police stopped a Waymo after it made an illegal U-turn and found no driver present; they could not issue a citation and notified Google. Earlier incidents included a Phoenix stop after veering into oncoming traffic and running a red light. The vehicles have displayed odd behaviors like circling roundabouts, congregating and honking in parking lots, and loitering near residences. Some incidents involved harm, including a dog run over and a bicyclist struck causing serious injuries.
"A few months ago, the San Francisco Chronicle documented a subtle shift in how Waymo robotaxis were navigating the roads: they were driving more like humans. Their behavior was more "assertive," honking at drivers that cut them off, and getting a rolling start while waiting for a pedestrian to finish crossing the street. These weren't just an aesthetic change - Waymo bragged that its cars' human qualities actually made them safer."
"On Friday night, cops in the Bay Area city of San Bruno stopped a car after it made an illegal U-turn at a traffic light - only to realize there was no one in the driver's seat. There was no smell of booze or someone slurring their words, either. It was a Waymo robotaxi blowing off traffic laws like many a human driver when it's late out. "No driver, no hands, no clue," the police department wrote in a social media post about the incident, per the Chronicle's reporting."
"They've exhibited plenty of weird driving habits, too, like endlessly driving in circles after getting stuck in a roundabout, or congregating in parking lots and honking at each other, or constantly hanging out in front of one family's house with no explanation. Some incidents have been serious. A Waymo ran over a dog, and another struck a bicyclist, causing a brain and spine inju"
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