Community Welcomes Self-Driving Cars, But Residents’ Excitement Turns Sour When Vehicles Go Rogue

How a bunch of self-driving cars went from futuristic dream to neighborhood nightmare.

Jesse

• Published in News
• August 20, 2024

Imagine waking up at 4 a.m. to the sound of honking—lots of honking. Not from your typical early-morning commuters but from a group of driverless cars that have apparently decided to have a little parking lot party. 

That was the reality for some unlucky residents in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood earlier this month, thanks to Waymo’s autonomous vehicles.

Waymo, originally the Google Self-Driving Car Project, has been a pioneer in the world of autonomous driving. Since its official launch to the public as a driverless taxi service in June, these high-tech vehicles have become a common sight on the streets of San Francisco.

But while their futuristic technology might be impressive, their early-morning honking habits? Not so much.

The trouble began in the wee hours of August 9th. Facebook user Randol White captured a now-viral video of nearly three dozen Waymo vehicles honking at each other in a parking lot, disturbing the peace long before dawn. 

The self-driving cars were simply trying to maneuver into and out of parking spots without bumping into each other—a noble effort, no doubt, but one that came with an unintended consequence: a symphony of honks that drove nearby residents up the wall.

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Waymo's fleet caught practicing their annoying chorus

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The video quickly gathered momentum online, painting a humorous yet distressing picture of technology’s unintended consequences.

One resident, Christopher Cherry, shared his frustration. He explained how the once-exciting arrival of Waymo in the neighborhood quickly turned sour. "We started out with a couple of honks here and there, and then as more and more cars started to arrive, the situation got worse," Cherry said. "It's very distracting during the work day, but most importantly, it wakes you up at four in the morning."

The self-driving cars, it turns out, were designed to honk as a safety measure to avoid low-speed collisions while reversing—great in theory, but not so great when you’re trying to catch some sleep. As the situation escalated, residents’ patience began to wear thin, prompting Waymo to take action.

They acknowledged the issue and rolled out a software update aimed at quieting the noisy fleet. Starting August 14, the updated programming was supposed to ensure that the electric vehicles kept their beeps to a minimum, especially during the wee hours.

And while there were initial hiccups—additional honking in a nearby cul-de-sac due to the update—the company was quick to iron these out, too.

Waymo’s latest update includes whisper mode for serene city mornings.

Waymo's response highlights a recurring theme in the narrative of emerging technologies: adaptation. This incident underscores the learning curve associated with integrating autonomous vehicles into everyday life and balancing innovation with the need for peace and quiet.

Recently, Randol White updated his Facebook status, noting the parking lot has been "super quiet" following the fix. He even mentioned a thoughtful apology from Waymo—a gesture that likely eased the sting of many sleepless nights.

So, as the dust settles on this modern tale of technology and turmoil, the residents of South of Market can finally enjoy a silent night. It turns out even self-driving cars can learn a thing or two about being good neighbors!

Jesse