CRIME

Smart Car Outsmarts Thief

Los Angeles, USAWed Jan 08 2025
This: A thief in Los Angeles tries to make a quick getaway after robbing a grocery store. Instead of a regular car, he jumps into a driverless Waymo taxi. He thought he was clever, but he didn't count on the car's smarts. These self-driving cars are designed to detect police sirens and lights, and they'll pull over if they do. So, when the cops showed up, the Waymo taxi didn't speed off. It stopped, leaving the thief with nowhere to go. The police were able to catch him easily. It's like the car said, "Sorry, I can't help you with that. " This isn't the first time someone's tried to use a Waymo car for a getaway. An intoxicated man also tried to drive one away, and there have been reports of people harassing passengers in these cars. It's a reminder that while these cars are smart, they're not foolproof against human mischief.

questions

    If a self-driving car can be tricked into being a getaway vehicle, what other unexpected roles could they play?
    What are the potential security risks associated with driverless cars being used as getaway vehicles?
    How do Waymo cars detect police lights and sirens, and what other safety features are in place?

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