Driverless, traffic-snarling robot taxis that just started transporting paying passengers in San Francisco are expected to expand to other Bay Area cities — whether local officials and residents want them or not.
Just a day after state regulators allowed robotaxi leaders Cruise and Waymo to start taking paid fares with self-driving vehicles and no onboard human backup on Aug. 10, nearly a dozen robotaxis abruptly stopped and jammed traffic in the city’s North Beach neighborhood.
A few days later, as Aaron Peskin, president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, was perched at a sidewalk table at the scene of the North Beach snarl-up, a Cruise car behind him started a left turn onto busy, four-lane Columbus Avenue, then suddenly veered right to continue straight up Vallejo Street. Peskin turned to watch as the driverless car stopped 15 feet behind the stop line at Grant Avenue, paused a few seconds, then blew through the stop sign as it turned left.
“To borrow the words of our fire chief,” Peskin said, “they’re not ready for prime time.”
Advocates say robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles promise relief from escalating carnage on America’s roads. But officials, technology experts and citizens worry that the vehicles, known for obstructing emergency vehicles and bottlenecking traffic, could hinder an ambulance long enough to kill a patient, or hamper emergency responders and trap fleeing people in an earthquake, fire or other disaster.
“It’s a recipe for death,” Peskin said.
On Thursday night in San Francisco, a Cruise robotaxi struck a fire truck en route to an emergency, sending a Cruise passenger to the hospital. Peskin said he was told by the city’s fire chief that the truck, with lights and sirens wailing, was “creeping” into the intersection when the robotaxi, on a green light, collided with it.
On Friday, the Department of Motor Vehicles said it was investigating “recent concerning incidents” with Cruise robotaxis in San Francisco and asked the company to halve the number of operating vehicles until the probe is done. The agency noted it could revoke Cruise’s operating permits. Cruise said it has complied and would work with the DMV.
In California, it matters little whether city and emergency officials oppose driverless taxis on their streets. Authority lies with the state, which has embraced them. The DMV has authorized several companies to put autonomous vehicles on public roads and the Public Utilities Commission this month green-lighted the expansion for GM’s Cruise and Google spinoff Waymo. Cruise runs up to 300 robotaxis in San Francisco, Waymo around 100.
Cruise and Waymo declined to say if they plan more robotaxis for the Bay Area. Cruise said making roads safer was an “urgent mission” for the company, claiming that its first million driver-less miles, compared to human drivers, resulted in 54% fewer collisions, However, Cruise’s own report noted “this comparison is not easy to make … (because) there is relatively little data available to measure human driving performance.” Waymo claimed its cars interact with emergency vehicles hundreds of times daily, the “vast majority” of the time without issue.
San Jose officials are closely watching the technology, but have little influence over its deployment. “Building relationships with these companies is the best we can do now, hoping that they engage with us in a positive way,” said Colin Heyne, a San Jose transportation spokesman.
Good luck with that, Peskin said. San Francisco has pursued “a collaborative relationship directly with the companies,” he said, but “they have not been reciprocal in that desire.”
Oakland officials said last year in a letter to the utilities commission that they know that city “may be next” for robotaxi expansion. City officials have been “closely following the events in San Francisco,” but Oakland does not have an official position on robotaxi deployment, transportation director Fred Kelley said. The letter to the commission raised concerns over the vehicles’ ability to comply with traffic codes. Police have no authority to cite the cars for breaking traffic laws, the letter noted.
On Wednesday, San Francisco filed motions with the regulator asking it to pause the robotaxi expansion, citing interference with emergency responders, transit, construction work and traffic flow. The technical issues causing problems have not been fixed and will likely worsen as the companies expand, the motions said. The commission said it was reviewing the motions.
When the commission announced the expansion, commissioner John Reynolds — a lawyer for Cruise until joining the agency last year — said he and his colleagues did “not yet have the data to judge (robotaxis) against the standard human drivers are setting.” But he said the technology could increase road safety, and companies and first responders need to collaborate to address problems that surface.
Others have already seen enough of the current crop of vehicles. Peskin and San Francisco Fire Chief Jeanine Nicholson have said robotaxis in their current form severely threaten public safety, and that their many mishaps — one recently drove around city street construction cones and got stuck in newly poured concrete — are harbingers of tragedy. “It doesn’t matter if these things are better than human drivers 90% of the time if the other 10% of the time they’re catastrophically bad,” Peskin said.
Nicholson, city police and transit officials said in a report earlier this month that robotaxis, a majority from Cruise, have made nearly 600 documented unexpected stops since June 2022, “likely a fraction of actual incidents.”
The vehicles have interfered with emergency responders more than 60 times, Peskin said. Incidents in the past two weeks included a robotaxi cutting directly in front of a fire truck heading to a call, a stopped robotaxi forcing a fire truck to drive over construction cones, and a robotaxi halting diagonally across a narrow street and blocking a fire truck, according to city reports.
On Aug. 11, tech worker Greg Giachino came upon the cluster of 10 Cruise robotaxis in North Beach stopped for at least 15 minutes, he said. “Human drivers are bad. But a human driver can get out of the way of a fire truck,” he said.
Robotaxi companies have persuaded officials that their software drives better than people, said Carnegie Mellon University engineering professor Phil Koopman, who studies the technology. “We’re finding out that’s not really true,” Koopman said.
Because the companies operate in secrecy, when their cars go haywire, the reasons remain unclear, Koopman said. The North Beach blockage highlights the risks of stalled robotaxis during a disaster, Koopman said.
“The next earthquake you’re going to find every single Cruise vehicle in the middle of the road blocking stuff,” he said. “That’s what you should expect.”
Related Articles Technology | Me & My Car: ’56 Studebaker in East Bay a ‘face-lift’ of an earlier model
Me & My Car: ’56 Studebaker in East Bay a ‘face-lift’ of an earlier model Technology | DMV demands Cruise cut driverless fleet in half following crashes
DMV demands Cruise cut driverless fleet in half following crashes Technology | VTA has one of the best transit recoveries in the nation, but ridership is still down from pre-pandemic numbers
VTA has one of the best transit recoveries in the nation, but ridership is still down from pre-pandemic numbers Technology | Southwest Airlines promised better performance after holiday meltdown. Has it delivered?
Southwest Airlines promised better performance after holiday meltdown. Has it delivered? Technology | Major East Bay road extension moves forward after eaglet flies off In San Francisco last week, Clara Grimmelbein, a 19-year-old University of Virginia computer science major, was sitting at a sidewalk cafe with her parents when a robotaxi drove by. Grimmelbein said she wished she could ride in one. “It’s new and exciting,” she said. “I trust machines more than people.”
A block away, poet Marvin Hiemstra, 84, a city resident since 1967, lamented the vehicles’ presence. “I don’t see any advantage to it for anybody, except for maybe a handful of companies,” he said.
Robotaxis wreak havoc in SF; could San Jose, Oakland be next?
Recent Comments
A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer
on
Viral Tiktok Puts Tom Cruise’s Les Grossman In The Super Mario Bros. Movie, And It’s-A F-ing Great
on
Tom Cruise Is Teaming Up With The Revenant Director For His First Movie Post-Mission: Impossible 8
on
Tom Cruise And Nicole Kidman Face The Brunt Of Scathing Comments From Eyes Wide Shut Screenwriter
on
San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on
Russian cruise and ballistic missiles kill 4 in Ukraine and Ukrainian rockets kill 2 in Russian city
on
PGA Show 2023: Best finds, exhibitor list, vendors, floor plan, schedule, dates, more from Orlando
on
Monday Mailbag: What’s next for Sean O’Malley, is Chito Vera impossible to finish, rest of UFC 299
on
LIVALL Showcases Smart Helmets For Cyclists And Commuters At Pepcom Holiday Shopping Preview Event
on
Lake Tahoe officials tackle overtourism with focus on management, not marketing; new fees may loom
on
How my Apple Watch proved the ultimate travel necessity when I spent a week halfway around the world
on
Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on
Arsenal highlighted for spending 26 seconds taking corner v Everton – Sky Sports’ tweet backfires
on
Inside Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager’s ‘amazing’ luxury spring break vacations with their families
on
Inside Floyd Mayweather’s Lavish Lifestyle: A Look at His Stunning Car Collection and Private Jet
on
In
on
If Tom Cruise Ever Gets A Theme Park, Here’s What Movies Should Get Their Own Rides And Attractions
on
‘I Will Immediately Retire From Boxing and Fight Jorge Masvidal…’: Jake Paul Starts 2023 With a Bang
on
How The Other Half Fly: VistaJet Goes To Enviable Lengths To Make Air Travel Better For Your Body
on
Hollywood Reporter: Tom Cruise negotiated with movie studios over AI before the actors strike began
on
Growing number of sports bras, athletic wear found with high levels of toxic chemical, watchdog says
on
GM Cruise Setbacks And EV Profitability Concerns: Analyst Lowers Expectations for Future Investments
on
Fresno State at Nevada live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on
Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on
Following Exchange With Caitlin Clark At News Conference, Columnist Won’t Cover Indiana Fever Games
on
Florida lawmakers introduce bills that would criminalize storming fields, courts at sporting events
on
FIU vs. Jacksonville State live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on
Erdogan to attend Turkey-Netherlands Euro 2024 quarterfinal amid diplomatic row with host Germany
on
East Carolina vs. Tulane basketball game postponed following death of Pirates announcer Jeff Charles
on
EA Sports College Football 25, among most anticipated sports video games in history, hits the market
on
Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
on
Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on
Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on
Donovan Mitchell will be extra motivated to carry the Cavaliers, plus other best bets for Tuesday
on
Disney Cruise Line Announces New Fireworks Show and More Details About ‘Silver Anniversary at Sea’
on
Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on
Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on
Death toll from Ian, storm-caused flooding crosses 50 people; remnants to dissipate over Virginia
on
David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on
Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on
Dallas Cowboys Will “Bring You Nothing But Bad Luck”, Sports Media Vet Warns Luka Doncic’s Mavericks
on
Cruise worker accused of stabbing woman and 2 security guards with scissors on ship headed to Alaska
on
Cruise guest gets stuck on ‘claustrophobic’ water slide suspended over ocean: ‘That is super scary’
on
CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on
“Completely Tormented”: How Tom Cruise Was Almost Cast In The Shawshank Redemption (& Why He Wasn’t)
on
“Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on
Comparing the Humongous Combined Wealth of Latest Business Partners Lewis Hamilton and Rory McIlroy
on
Colorado State vs. New Mexico live stream, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on
College basketball rankings: Virginia joins preseason Top 25 And 1, ready to contend for ACC title
on
College basketball rankings: Kansas helps Big 12 lead conference race for most Top 100 And 1 players
on
CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on
Can Tom Cruise Save The Box Office Again With Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning? An Investigation
on
Cam Newton’s Violent Public Incident Draws Hilarious Reaction From 3x All-Star: “Where Do I Sign Up
on
“Bro Is Jogging”: Resurfaced Video of Usain Bolt’s 9.84 Seconds Run, Leaves Sports World in Denial
on
Braun Strowman Reportedly Set for WWE Return Abroad on Promotional Tour After 6 Months Out Injured
on
Brad Keselowski Feels NASCAR Could Welcome New Manufacturer Soon Amid Martin Truex Jr’s Engine Tests
on
Boise State vs. Nevada live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on
Boise State vs. Air Force live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on
Big Tech companies will cover travel expenses for employees’ medical procedures, including abortion
on
Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on
Best places to travel in 2023: National Geographic unveils list of top 25 destinations for next year
on
Ask Amy: Should I keep my RSVP simple and just gracefully decline or say I can’t afford the trip?
on
As more abortion bans occur, many patients must travel hundreds of miles for care – or be stranded
on
Air Force vs. Utah State live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on
After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on
A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer
on
A missile fired by Houthis strikes a US-owned vessel off Yemen in the Gulf of Aden, raising tensions
on
A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on
2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on
$12M Worth Dawn Staley Sports Pricey Jordans While Witnessing Joel Embiid’s Suffering Against Knicks
on
Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on
2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on
If you’re a frequent traveler, these wrap tops from Aday will revolutionize your on-the-go wardrobe
on
2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on
Sports World Hails ‘Superwoman’ Lindsey Vonn for Her Grand Comeback Despite Career-Changing Injury
on
How Does Jack Nicklaus Travel? Exploring the Private Jets Owned by the ‘Golden Bear’ Over the Years
on
College basketball rankings: Kansas helps Big 12 lead conference race for most Top 100 And 1 players
on
A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer
on
Lamar Jackson: NFC side tipped to be ‘overwhelming’ Super Bowl favourites if they signed Ravens QB
on
ICC T20 World Cup 2022: “Love Cricket At All Levels, I’ll Watch Any Cricket, And Love Going There”
on
2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on
Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville introduce bill on name, image and likeness rules for college sports
on
San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on
If you’re a frequent traveler, these wrap tops from Aday will revolutionize your on-the-go wardrobe
on
“Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on
Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on
Following Exchange With Caitlin Clark At News Conference, Columnist Won’t Cover Indiana Fever Games
on
Inside Out Mini Jawbreaker Puzzle Game from Disney Cruise Line Now Available at Walt Disney World
on
Katherine Paprocka allegedly embezzled nearly $600k from school for family vacations, IVF treatment
on
Johnny Knoxville Talks Jackass Stunts And How They Compare To Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible Work
on
Napoli owner admits he ‘knew’ Victor Osimhen would end up at ‘Real Madrid, PSG or one English club’
on
Camilla Parker Bowles Revealed the ‘Nicest Thing’ She and Prince Charles Do When They Travel Is Free
on
Russian cruise and ballistic missiles kill 4 in Ukraine and Ukrainian rockets kill 2 in Russian city
on
Can Tom Cruise Save The Box Office Again With Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning? An Investigation
on
Boise State vs. Air Force live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on
CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on
College basketball rankings: Kansas helps Big 12 lead conference race for most Top 100 And 1 players
on
Inside Floyd Mayweather’s Lavish Lifestyle: A Look at His Stunning Car Collection and Private Jet
on
Cruise guest gets stuck on ‘claustrophobic’ water slide suspended over ocean: ‘That is super scary’
on
David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on
Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on
Big Tech companies will cover travel expenses for employees’ medical procedures, including abortion
on
Russian cruise and ballistic missiles kill 4 in Ukraine and Ukrainian rockets kill 2 in Russian city
on
A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer
on
GameFly Sale Offering Nintendo Switch Sports at a Mind-Blowing Price, Don’t Miss the Opportunity!
on
Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on
San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on
2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on
Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on
2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on
Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on
The Rev. Al Sharpton to lead protest after Florida governor’s ban of African American studies course
on
After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on
CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on
Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed – and bemused by the fuss
on
CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on
David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on
Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on
Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on
Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on
The Rev. Al Sharpton to lead protest after Florida governor’s ban of African American studies course
on
Sports World Hails ‘Superwoman’ Lindsey Vonn for Her Grand Comeback Despite Career-Changing Injury
on
San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on
Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed – and bemused by the fuss
on
‘Pokémon Scarlet’ and ‘Violet’ Fan Theories Suggest Legendary Time Travel, Alternate Dimension Plot
on
Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville introduce bill on name, image and likeness rules for college sports
on
Inside the Michael Jordan ‘Air’ movie, plus why NFL, others are buying into the sports film industry
on
If you’re a frequent traveler, these wrap tops from Aday will revolutionize your on-the-go wardrobe
on
How Does Jack Nicklaus Travel? Exploring the Private Jets Owned by the ‘Golden Bear’ Over the Years
on
Hollywood Reporter: Tom Cruise negotiated with movie studios over AI before the actors strike began
on
Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on
Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on
Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on
Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on
David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on
CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on
CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on
Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on
Boise State vs. Air Force live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on
Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on
After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on
2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on
‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on
2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on
“Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on
CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on
“Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on
CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on
Carlos Sainz’s Soccer Fanboy Emerges as Spaniard Shares Defining Moment With This Real Madrid Legend
on
Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on
‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on
Ahead of big sports weekend, dispute with Disney leaves millions of cable subscribers in the dark
on
A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on
2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on
2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on
Army vs. Coastal Carolina live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on
AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez Spreads Joy and Sportsmanship to the Youth of Loma de Cabrera
on
After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on
Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
on
Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on
Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on
Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on
CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on
“Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on
CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on
Cam Newton’s Violent Public Incident Draws Hilarious Reaction From 3x All-Star: “Where Do I Sign Up
on
Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on
Angel Reese Launches Foundation Dedicated To Empowering Women Through Sports & Financial Literacy
on
A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer
on