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Whether they like it or not, taxi and ride-hail drivers are responsible for more than just getting you to your destination. They often have to deal with problematic (or even unruly) riders, and have to keep their eyes open for signs of danger or illicit activity. Robotaxi operators are expected to monitor for the same things, lest their vehicles end up being used as getaway cars or vessels for human trafficking.
Their solution? Cameras and microphones—with a little dollop of automation, of course.
You probably heard about it back in July when a couple of teens had their Waymo joyride aborted after the robotaxi’s on-board cameras detected the potential presence of a firearm. The weapon in question fired water beads, not bullets, but its profile was enough to trigger Waymo’s security protocols, at which point Waymo terminated the ride and called law enforcement, which arrived and detained the riders.
Certainly, few people would take issue with a taxi refusing to help a would-be murderer stalk a target, but this incident is far more flattering to Waymo’s policies than some others have been, and perhaps that’s because its policies aren’t particularly well-defined. According to Wired, Waymo riders have been challenged on a number of different grounds, many of which are far less reasonable than the potential presence of a firearm. One 35-year-old had to confirm his age before his ride would continue because the system mistook him for a minor.
And because each of its taxis is equipped with on-board communications systems that allow Waymo staff to speak with riders, that means those cameras are paired with microphones designed to pick up human voices. And yep, they’re capable of recording all of it. In fact, Waymo’s user agreement says that any information it collects can be shared with both law enforcement and regulators.
“We may share certain data with law enforcement as needed to comply with legal requirements, enforce agreements, and protect the safety of you and others,” Waymo’s support database says. “Law enforcement agencies that seek information and data from Waymo are directed to follow valid legal processes in making such requests.”
Zoox and Tesla have similar language, according to Wired. Waymo says its internal microphones are only on when staff need to communicate with riders or when riders deliberately choose to enable them. It says its external mics can filter out human communication and are only intended to monitor for the presence of emergency vehicles.
But where Waymo is blind, the rest of the Internet of Things can help fill in the blanks. We already have automated plate tracking cameras in virtually every major police jurisdiction in the United States, and pretty soon just about everything around you will be filming or recording you. What could go wrong?
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Byron is an editor at The Drive with a keen eye for infrastructure, sales and regulatory stories.
