Waymo Stumbles Into Hotspot: A Curious Collision

Date: February 7, 2024 Location: Morningside, Atlanta

Incident Overview

• Time: February 7
• Location: Cheshire Bridge Road, Morningside, Atlanta
• Involved Parties: Waymo autonomous vehicle, Atlanta Police, SWAT team, barricaded gunman

Details of the Incident

• Police Engagement: Police and SWAT teams were engaged with a barricaded gunman who had fired shots, wounding two officers.
• Waymo's Action: A Waymo autonomous vehicle entered the active police scene, cutting through a line of emergency vehicles and stopping in the middle of the crime scene.
• State of the Vehicle: Doors open, with a passenger inside.
• Footage Captured: A local reporter captured the moment on camera, showing the car parked among police cars and crime-scene tape.

Questions Raised

• Navigation Concern: How could an autonomous car navigate into such a dangerous area?
• Company Response: Waymo has not yet responded to inquiries.

Outcome of the Shooting

• Suspect Arrested: 24-year-old Alonte Ray was arrested on multiple assault and weapons charges.
• SWAT Action: SWAT neutralized the suspect without further injuries.

Waymo's Safety Concerns

• Previous Incidents: Waymo has faced other safety hiccups in Atlanta, such as repeatedly passing school buses that were stopped and flashing.
• Software Update: Despite a software update intended to improve bus-interaction safety, incidents have continued in cities like Austin.
• Regulatory Concern: Raising concerns for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.