Waymo Robotaxi Circles Parking Lot, Delays Passenger’s Flight

A Los Angeles tech entrepreneur, Mike Johns, found himself trapped in a Waymo robotaxi last month as the vehicle repeatedly circled a parking lot, delaying his trip to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The incident, which occurred on Dec. 9, 2024, was captured in a video Johns posted on LinkedIn, where he expressed frustration and dizziness as the car completed eight loops before regaining control.

Johns, an artificial intelligence consultant, told CNN that he chose Waymo over traditional rideshares like Lyft and Uber because he believes in the future of autonomous vehicles. “It’s the future of where things are going, so I’m definitely a part of that,” he said. However, the experience left him questioning the company’s customer service. “Where’s the empathy? Where’s the human connection to this?” Johns asked in an interview with KCAL News.

Waymo, the self-driving car division of Alphabet, confirmed the incident and stated that Johns was delayed by just over five minutes. The company also noted that he was not charged for the trip and that they attempted to follow up with him via voicemail. A Waymo spokesperson explained that the vehicle experienced a routing issue, which was resolved after a software update.

This is not the first time Waymo’s autonomous vehicles have exhibited unusual behavior. In June 2024, the company recalled 672 cars to address software issues after one struck a pole. Earlier incidents included sudden braking due to nearby birds and erratic driving that led to a federal investigation. Despite these challenges, Waymo continues to expand its self-driving taxi services, emphasizing its ability to handle complex scenarios through advanced technology.

Johns, who ultimately caught his flight, said he may consider using Waymo again after discussing the incident with the company. The viral video, which has garnered over 2 million views, highlights the growing pains of autonomous vehicle technology and the need for improved customer communication.