Waymo News Today: June 9, 2025 – Unrest in Los Angeles and Expansion Plans
Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle division, is making headlines today for both troubling incidents in Los Angeles and significant expansion initiatives across the U.S. and abroad.
Los Angeles Unrest: Waymo Vehicles Targeted
In a dramatic escalation of ongoing protests against federal immigration enforcement, several Waymo autonomous vehicles were set on fire in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8. The unrest, which began on Friday, intensified as over 2,000 demonstrators clashed with police and National Guard troops. Protesters halted vehicles on Main Street and ignited Waymo cars, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the air .
The LAPD declared downtown LA an unlawful assembly zone, arresting at least 27 individuals. Mayor Karen Bass condemned the violence but attributed the unrest to federal provocations, citing immigration raids. President Trump responded by deploying 2,000 National Guard troops, although only 300 had arrived by Sunday. Waymo suspended its rideshare services in the area following the damages .
Expansion Plans: Waymo's Growth Trajectory
Despite the setbacks in Los Angeles, Waymo continues to push forward with its expansion plans. The company is testing its autonomous driving technology in over 10 new cities, including San Diego and Las Vegas, with more cities yet to be announced .
In addition to ongoing trips to Truckee, Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Upstate New York, and Tokyo, the expansion includes testing in San Diego and Las Vegas, with more cities yet to be announced. The testing will begin with manual driving through the densest and most complex parts of each city, including city centers and freeways. Waymo plans to send less than 10 vehicles to each city, where they will be manually driven around for a couple of months .
Waymo has also partnered with Uber to offer autonomous ride-hailing services in Austin and Atlanta, starting in early 2025. This move comes after the duo's initial success with robotaxi services in Phoenix, and now Uber riders in these two cities will have the chance to hop into a driverless Waymo vehicle for certain trips—exclusively through the Uber app .
Technology and Safety: AI Models and Regulatory Scrutiny
Waymo's autonomous vehicles are powered by the Waymo Foundation Model, a large-scale AI model that supports the vehicle’s ability to perceive its surroundings, predict the behavior of others on the road, simulate scenarios, and make driving decisions. This massive model functions similarly to large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, which are trained on vast datasets to learn patterns and make predictions. Just as companies like OpenAI and Google have built newer multimodal models to combine different types of data, Waymo’s AI integrates sensor data from multiple sources to understand its environment .
However, the company is under scrutiny from U.S. regulators over "unexpected behavior" of its self-driving vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into the performance of Waymo's self-driving vehicles after reports of its robotaxis exhibiting driving behavior that potentially violated traffic safety laws. The preliminary evaluation into an estimated 444 Waymo vehicles follows 22 reports of incidents, including 17 collisions .
Developments at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident | Waymo vehicles set on fire during LA protests |
| Response | LAPD declared downtown LA an unlawful assembly zone; Waymo suspended services in the area |
| Expansion | Testing in over 10 new cities; partnerships with Uber in Austin and Atlanta |
| Technology | Powered by Waymo Foundation Model; AI integration for real-time decision-making |
| Regulatory Scrutiny | Under investigation by NHTSA for 'unexpected behavior' and potential traffic law violations |
In Summary
Waymo's journey today is marked by both challenges and advancements. While the company faces significant obstacles in Los Angeles, including property damage and regulatory scrutiny, it remains committed to expanding its autonomous vehicle services across the United States and internationally. The integration of advanced AI models and strategic partnerships with companies like Uber demonstrate Waymo's dedication to innovation and growth in the autonomous vehicle industry.
Conclusion
Waymo's current landscape paints a picture of a company at a pivotal crossroads. On one hand, the disturbing incidents in Los Angeles highlight the vulnerabilities of autonomous vehicles amid social unrest, raising concerns about public safety, regulation, and technology misuse. On the other hand, Waymo’s relentless expansion into new cities, strategic partnerships with Uber, and investments in AI-driven innovation reflect its long-term vision and resilience in a highly competitive sector.
As the autonomous vehicle industry evolves, Waymo stands as both a trailblazer and a test case. Its ability to navigate complex urban environments—both technically and socially—will define not just its success, but the broader public acceptance of self-driving technology.
