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Waymo's Self-Driving Taxi Makes Illegal U-Turn, Stumping California Police

First of its kind in California: A Waymo robo-taxi's illegal maneuver stumps police. Now, regulators call for software review and operational design improvements.

In front of the picture, we see a white car on which "Police" is written. Behind that, there are...
In front of the picture, we see a white car on which "Police" is written. Behind that, there are many cars moving on the road. On either side of the road, we see grass and trees. This picture is clicked outside the city.

Waymo's Self-Driving Taxi Makes Illegal U-Turn, Stumping California Police

A self-driving taxi from Waymo, Google's autonomous vehicle subsidiary, caused a stir in San Bruno, California. The car, a used car, made an illegal U-turn in front of a patrol car, raising concerns and presenting a new challenge for local law enforcement. This incident marks the first of its kind in California, highlighting the unique challenges posed by self-driving cars. The used car, with no human driver, made the illegal maneuver, leaving police unable to issue a citation due to the absence of a 'Robot' category in their system. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has since informed Waymo about the incident. They have recommended that the company review its operational design and implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Waymo has received a letter from the police asking them to check their software, as this is not an isolated case. Self-driving cars, while common in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and surrounding areas, are presenting new challenges for police in terms of regulation and enforcement. The illegal U-turn by the Waymo robo-taxi has underscored the need for updated regulations and enforcement protocols to address the growing presence of self-driving cars. While these vehicles offer numerous benefits, incidents like this highlight the importance of continuous review and improvement of their operational design.

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