Robotaxis could be becoming robo-police.
A self-driving Waymo reported two teenagers to San Mateo, California, police on Monday after they were found drinking alcohol and shooting toy guns in the back of the vehicle.
According to a social media post from the San Mateo Police Department, officers detained two 15-year-old boys after the Waymo they were riding in contacted the department and stopped in a parking lot until authorities arrived.
“Parents, do you know where your teenagers are?” the San Mateo Police Department wrote on Facebook after the incident. “Waymo does it!”
Officers removed both teens from the vehicle and determined they were using toy guns to shoot Orbeez through the windows. Orbeez are small beads that absorb water and are sold in toy stores.
“Toy guns, water guns and BB guns pose real dangers, especially to the untrained eye,” the Police Department said. “The simple handling of them can cause fear in [passersby].” “
A video posted on Facebook shows at least five officers and a police dog rushing to the scene and approaching the Waymo with their weapons raised.
Waymo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Waymo vehicles have internal cameras and microphones that can be used in an emergency or to “promote safety,” according to Waymo's online support page.
The cameras are also used to ensure vehicles are clean and to help find lost items, according to the support page.
The company said it does not use facial recognition or other biometric identification technologies to identify people.
“In more urgent circumstances, support can access live video during a ride,” Waymo's page said.
The San Mateo Police Department's Facebook post garnered nearly 60 comments, with one user accusing Waymo of “snitching.”
“Do they at least have a designated driver?!” commented one user.
