Protesters Set Fire to Robotaxis While Cybertruck Maneuvers Through LA Turmoil | Carscoops

      The protest was driven by frustration towards ICE, rather than a direct focus on autonomous vehicles.

      Waymo has suspended its operations in Los Angeles following the vandalism and arson of several of its robotaxis.

      Before their destruction, anti-ICE slogans were spray-painted on the autonomous vehicles.

      A Cybertruck displaying anti-ICE banners was spotted driving around the protest site, waving a large flag.

      Protesters set fire to several Waymo robotaxis in Los Angeles as the National Guard arrived in the city. While residents have the right to demonstrate, there is no justification for setting Waymo vehicles ablaze as an outlet for their anger toward Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

      Videos posted on social media show at least five Waymo vehicles vandalized by protesters recently, before being smashed and torched. These actions compelled the self-driving arm of Alphabet to temporarily halt its services in the city.

      According to the LA Times, protesters gathered around Los Angeles Street around 5 p.m. on Sunday. They slashed tires, broke windows, and tagged the vehicles with anti-ICE graffiti. Reports suggest that at least one protester used a makeshift flamethrower to ignite the interior of one of the Waymo robotaxis.

      Local police had to intervene, closing Los Angeles Street from north of Arcadia to south of Alameda streets, and declared it an unlawful assembly. Intentionally setting electric vehicles on fire is both reckless and hazardous, as burning batteries can emit toxic fumes, including hydrogen fluoride.

      Waymo's Response

      Waymo issued a statement to CBS News regarding the incident, indicating that they did not believe their vehicles were specifically targeted but rather were “present during the protests.” While this may be the case, it doesn't provide much reassurance when their AI-operated fleet becomes fuel for fires during public unrest.

      This is not the first instance of Waymo’s robotaxi fleet facing hostility. Earlier in 2024, a crowd in San Francisco attacked one of the company's Jaguar I-Pace vehicles, setting it alight.

      The turmoil in Los Angeles also resulted in the destruction of multiple Waymo vehicles. Over the weekend, a blackout Tesla Cybertruck was filmed driving in circles at a prominent LA intersection, as seen in a Reddit video. The vehicle displayed a large Mexican flag and bore anti-ICE slogans on both sides. It remains uncertain whether the truck was stolen, borrowed, or part of a performance protest, but it surely contributed to the chaotic atmosphere of the weekend.