Robotaxi Drives Through LAPD Crime Scene While Suspect Is Held at Gunpoint | Carscoops
A video captures a driverless Waymo navigating through a Los Angeles crime scene while police shout commands.
The LAPD stated that the event concluded swiftly without interfering with the arrest. Waymo referred to it as an opportunity for learning as its testing expands across the country.
Although autonomous driving has made significant advancements in the past decade, there are still areas for improvement. Waymo, a leader in this field, needs to address some issues, including how to respond to live crime scenes.
Recently, a video surfaced showing one of the company's robotaxis calmly traversing an intersection while police were attempting a felony arrest with guns drawn.
Content creator Alex Choi shared footage of the event, where the car can be seen making a left turn at an intersection. Nearby, a parked truck with an open driver’s door is on the side of the road, and just next to it, a suspect lies face down on the ground, being held at gunpoint by officers.
Interestingly, the robotaxi slows down and seems to pause as it passes by the suspect, despite being in the line of fire at that moment. The video concludes after the vehicle departs, while the police move in to apprehend the suspect.
Police informed NBC that the incident occurred around 3:40 a.m. and that the presence of the robotaxi did not alter their tactics during the arrest.
In response, Waymo indicated that the entire encounter lasted only 15 seconds. A spokesperson emphasized the company's commitment to safety, stating, "Safety is our highest priority at Waymo, both for individuals who choose to ride with us and for those we share the streets with. When we face unusual occurrences like this, we learn from them as we continue to enhance road safety and operate in bustling cities."
As of mid-2025, the company has accumulated over 100 million miles of autonomous driving and maintains a solid safety record, though it hasn't been free from peculiar incidents and PR challenges.
Earlier this year, pranksters managed to redirect 50 Waymos to the same intersection in San Francisco, causing a traffic jam. In another event, five Waymo vehicles were set on fire during protests in Los Angeles.
The scheme involved 50 people gathering at San Francisco's longest dead-end street to simultaneously order a Waymo.
Credit: Alex Choi
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Robotaxi Drives Through LAPD Crime Scene While Suspect Is Held at Gunpoint | Carscoops
A video captures a Waymo vehicle without a driver maneuvering through a crime scene in Los Angeles while police issue verbal instructions.
