Burning Google 'Waymo'... Why Did LA Protesters Target It?

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on June 9 (local time) that during a large-scale protest in Los Angeles (LA), California, against the Trump administration's crackdown and deportation of undocumented immigrants, a Waymo self-driving robotaxi, operated by Google Alphabet, became a target of attack by protesters.

As the protests intensified, some demonstrators set fire to Waymo vehicles to disrupt traffic and protest the detention of immigrants. Stickers with protest slogans and profanity were also seen on the vehicles. WSJ pointed out that the graffiti-covered and burning Waymo self-driving taxis have become a new symbol of anger for the protesters.

On the 8th (local time), a protester in LA, USA, is smashing a Waymo vehicle. Photo by AFP

Waymo stated that there is no credible evidence to suggest that the company’s vehicle, which was destroyed in LA, was summoned by people present at the protest site, and that it is currently investigating the situation. The company also announced that it had suspended operations into downtown LA, where protests were expected to take place starting that day. According to WSJ’s check of the Waymo app, pickup and drop-off services were restricted in some areas of LA. On the morning of the protest, there were no operating vehicles even several miles away from the protest site. In other areas, wait times were longer and fares were higher than usual.

The company did not disclose how many of its 300 vehicles operating in LA had been damaged. It also earnestly requested, "For the safety of all involved, we ask everyone not to use our vehicles for any purpose other than their intended use."

The Waymo vehicles operating in LA are Jaguar I-PACE electric cars, with prices starting at $73,000 (about 99.65 million KRW). The vehicles are equipped with various cameras, radars, lidars, and sophisticated computer systems, and WSJ estimated that taking all this equipment into account, the price could reach $150,000 to $200,000 (about 204.77 million to 273.02 million KRW).

Even before this protest, Waymo vehicles had been a major target for vandals. Because Waymo operates without a human driver, spraying paint or setting the vehicles on fire does not risk injuring a human driver. However, since they are powered by lithium-ion batteries, they burn hotter and longer than internal combustion engine vehicles.

In particular, electric vehicle batteries contain flammable chemicals and emit oxygen when burning. As a result, fires may appear to be extinguished but can reignite hours or even days later. In addition, electric vehicle battery fires can emit toxic gases that are harmful to humans. WSJ noted that due to these characteristics, such fires can pose a greater threat to surrounding areas compared to conventional vehicle fires.