California Uber and Lyft drivers protest Waymo taxis, urging state officials to further regulations | Latest Tech News
Drivers for Lyft and Uber protested self-driving Waymo taxis in San Francisco on Friday, urging state regulators to exercise larger oversight of autonomous automobiles, given current occasions in which the automobiles killed pets and blocked visitors.
About two dozen drivers and supporters spoke or held up indicators calling for safer streets and larger accountability outdoors the workplaces of the California Public Utilities Commission, which met Friday to think about further regulations on autonomous automobiles.
There was roughly two dozen drivers and supporters holding up indicators outdoors the California Public Utilities Commission. AP
A gentle stream of Waymo automobiles drove past the protest, a testomony to the growing ubiquity of the white automobiles in San Francisco.
“I personally am not against technology; what I am against is unfair treatment,” said Joseph Augusto, who drives for both Uber and Lyft. “We have these people, these companies, these autonomous vehicle companies who are driving around the city, and they don’t seem to be held to the same standards as us drivers.”
The California Public Utilities Commission, which regulates Uber and Lyft, is refining and increasing insurance policies around autonomous robotaxis as the industry grows.
The California Gig Workers Union says the automobiles must be eliminated from streets until security considerations are addressed.
A Waymo robotaxi drives along The Embarcadero on December 08, 2025 in San Francisco, California. Getty Images
The California Gig Workers Union says Waymo automobiles must be eliminated from streets until security considerations are addressed. AP
The state company said it had no remark on the protest.
A spokesperson for Waymo, which is owned by Google’s mum or dad company, Alphabet, said Waymo “is on a mission to be the world’s most trusted driver, making it safe, more accessible and more sustainable for riders to get around.”
Hobbled Waymos blocked San Francisco streets during a mass energy outage days before Christmas, forcing the company to pause service and raising questions about the automobiles’ potential to adapt to real-world driving situations.
In September, a Waymo pulled an unlawful U-turn in entrance of a signal telling drivers not to do that, but San Bruno police couldn’t issue a ticket because there was no human driver.
A gentle stream of Waymo automobiles drove past the protest, a testomony to the growing ubiquity of the white automobiles in San Francisco. AP
In October, a Waymo crushed a standard neighborhood cat named Kit Kat.
Augusto, the motive force, said he noticed Waymos stalled at intersections as people darted around them on Dec. 20 when the lights went out across San Francisco.
“There were a lot of Waymos around. Just randomly all over the city and there’s no plan,” he said.
Stay informed with the latest in tech! Our web site is your trusted source for breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, gadget launches, software program updates, cybersecurity, and digital innovation.
For recent insights, knowledgeable coverage, and trending tech updates, go to us frequently by clicking right here.
