Using Waymo to get from point A to point B has become an alternative to taking a traditional taxi in the cities where it operates.
However, skepticism surrounding passenger safety remains a prominent concern.
TikTok user Graceofthemoment encountered a different problem after arriving at her destination in San Francisco. Following her trip in a Waymo vehicle, she discovered an unexpected issue with the car itself.
The incident has since drawn massive attention online, raising further questions about other unexpected problems passengers can encounter even after their journey has come to an end.
The Door Remained Locked
Regardless of the vehicle you’re traveling in, whether it’s your own car, a friend’s vehicle, a traditional taxi, or a Waymo, keeping the doors locked is a common safety precaution. It helps protect passengers from potential external threats and prevents doors from opening unexpectedly while the vehicle is moving.
However, when Grace arrives at her final destination, she encounters an unexpected problem: the door remains locked, leaving her unable to exit the Waymo without assistance from customer support.
@graceofthemoment the door to my waymo didn’t open when i got to my destination lol this feels like a serious safety violation #waymo #sf #sanfrancisco ♬ original sound – Grace of the Moment
“This is Lance with Waymo. How can I help?” the customer support representative begins.
“Hi, the door isn’t opening,” Grace explains.
“Oh, perfect. Let me go ahead and have the door open for you,” Lance replies.
Before proceeding, Lance confirms that Grace has already tried pulling the door handle twice, which she confirms she has. He then works through the process remotely to unlock the Waymo vehicle’s door.
Although Grace still appears concerned, Lance eventually manages to resolve the issue, allowing her to exit the vehicle.
“This feels like a serious safety violation,” she stated in the post’s caption.
Is the Concern Justified?
The incident sparked mixed reactions on her post, with some viewers expressing concerns about passenger safety and others arguing that the situation was not particularly serious.
The reactions highlight the divide between those concerned about the reliability and safety of driverless vehicles and those who believe occasional technical issues are to be expected as the technology develops.
Some viewers also felt Grace came across as rude during her interaction with Waymo’s customer support representative. While others sympathized with her frustration at being unable to open the door, critics argued that Lance was simply trying to help resolve the issue.
“Thank God I’m not claustrophobic,” the post text read.