Two California teenagers were detained by police after Waymo's autonomous vehicle detected them drinking alcohol and shooting gel beads from the windows, triggering an automatic alert. This incident highlights Waymo's strict enforcement of rider conduct policies, which prohibit substance use and dangerous behavior regardless of local laws regarding open containers.
Background
Waymo has established strict community guidelines for its robotaxi service, including prohibitions on alcohol, drugs, and throwing objects, enforced through onboard sensors and remote monitoring. While California generally permits open containers in ride-hailing services, Waymo's terms of service apply uniformly to all passengers.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Jul 8, 2026 at 11:40 PM
- Score
- 5.0 / 10