In a dramatic scene that feels ripped from a dystopian film, several of Google’s Waymo self-driving cars were vandalized and set ablaze on the streets of downtown Los Angeles this weekend. The futuristic, empty vehicles became a smoldering symbol of a city in turmoil, raising urgent questions about technology’s place amidst human anger and social unrest.
While the attack is shocking, the story is more complex than just a targeted assault on AI. The Waymo robotaxis were caught in the crossfire of intense protests against federal immigration raids. However, the incident undeniably taps into a deeper public anxiety surrounding autonomous technology and its role in our society.
Let’s break down what happened and what it means for the future of self-driving cars.
Main Highlights: What You Need to Know
- The Incident: At least five Waymo autonomous vehicles were attacked on Sunday, June 8th, in downtown Los Angeles. They were vandalized with spray paint, had their windows smashed, and were ultimately set on fire.
- The Context: The cars were not the primary target. They were parked near intense protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, which had escalated following the deployment of the National Guard.
- Waymo’s Reaction: The company confirmed the incident, stating it was in contact with law enforcement. As a safety precaution, Waymo temporarily suspended its robotaxi service in the affected downtown areas.
- Public Safety Warning: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) issued a warning about the toxic gases released from the burning lithium-ion batteries in the electric vehicles.
- A Deeper Issue: While circumstantial, the event highlights a growing tension and distrust of highly visible, futuristic technology, especially during times of social and political strife.
What Exactly Happened on the Streets of LA?
Over the weekend, what began as demonstrations against immigration raids escalated into major unrest. As tensions flared between protestors and law enforcement, a group reportedly turned their attention to a line of parked, unoccupied Waymo vehicles.
Eyewitness accounts and viral social media footage show individuals smashing the cars’ windows with skateboards, slashing tires, and covering them in anti-ICE graffiti. The vandalism culminated in several of the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles being set on fire, sending thick black smoke into the sky. In a surreal twist, some of the besieged cars reportedly began honking their horns in unison amidst the chaos.
Waymo has stated it has no reason to believe its vehicles were specifically targeted due to their autonomous nature. Instead, they appear to have been a high-profile, convenient target for protestors expressing their anger.
A Symbol of Frustration: Why Attack a Robot Car?
Even if the attack wasn’t a direct anti-AI protest, the choice of target is significant. For many, driverless cars represent a faceless, corporate future that feels imposed upon them. They are the most visible real-world application of artificial intelligence, a technology often associated with job displacement and a loss of human control.
In a moment of intense anger against authority, these symbols of a tech-driven future became an easy outlet for frustration. The incident serves as a stark reminder that technological progress doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It happens on our streets, in our communities, and is subject to the full spectrum of human emotion and politics.
This isn’t the first time Waymo cars have been attacked. Similar, though less destructive, incidents have occurred in San Francisco and other cities, often fueled by a mix of curiosity, mischief, and underlying resentment towards “Big Tech.”
The Road Ahead for Autonomous Vehicles
The images of burning Waymo cars in Los Angeles are a major setback for the perception of autonomous technology. For a company like Waymo, which has invested billions in proving the safety and reliability of its systems, public trust is the ultimate currency.
This event forces us to ask bigger questions:
- How can tech companies navigate social unrest? Should autonomous fleets be pre-emptively removed from areas where protests are planned?
- Will this increase public fear of AI? When people see advanced technology become a focal point of violence, it can amplify existing anxieties.
- What is the security plan for a driverless future? The vulnerability of an empty vehicle in a volatile situation is now glaringly apparent.
While the immediate cause of this incident was political protest, the aftermath is a crucial test for the autonomous vehicle industry. Moving forward, the conversation cannot just be about AI, sensors, and algorithms. It must also be about community engagement, public perception, and building trust, one ride at a time.
The road to a fully autonomous future was never going to be perfectly smooth. The fires in Los Angeles prove that some of the biggest bumps along the way may have nothing to do with the technology itself.
Disclaimer: This article is based on news reports available as of June 9, 2025. The situation is ongoing and details may change.