A San Francisco parking lot has become an unlikely stage for a late-night symphony of honking, courtesy of self-driving cars. Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company, has found itself at the center of a curious incident, as its vehicles have been observed congregating in the parking lot after dark, honking at each other, and seemingly getting stuck.
The cacophony has disturbed the peace of nearby residents, with reports of the honking keeping them up at night. Russell Pofsky, who lives in a building adjacent to the parking lot, described the noise as a significant disruption to his sleep, stating that he has been woken up more frequently in the past two weeks than in the previous 20 years combined. Pofsky also noted that the honking has occurred both during the day and night, affecting his mood throughout the day.
ABC7 News reached out to Waymo for an explanation of the strange phenomenon. The company responded by acknowledging that its vehicles may briefly honk while navigating their parking lots, attributing the unusual behavior to a technical issue. They assured the public that they have identified the cause of the problem and are currently working on a solution.
Despite the recent nocturnal honking episode, one resident, Randol White, who captured footage of the incident, remains a supporter of Waymo cars, using them regularly. This incident highlights the challenges and unexpected consequences that may arise as autonomous vehicles become more integrated into our lives. It underscores the need for thorough testing and robust safeguards to ensure their safe and smooth operation.
