Oh, to be young, wild, and [a Waymo car lost and free in the night.]
Waymo announced Saturday night that the Google-owned robotaxi company would suspend rides in San Francisco after riders reported vehicles causing traffic jams and … well, kinda just throwing their hands (wheels?) in the air.
Power out in SF and the @Waymo’s are causing a MASSIVE jam in North Beach 🤣 pic.twitter.com/fuvhprlyma
— Iago Maciel (@_iagomaciel) December 21, 2025
“We have temporarily suspended our ride-hailing services given the broad power outage in San Francisco,” wrote Suzanne Philion, a company spokesperson, a little after 7 p.m., reports Mission Local. “We are focused on keeping our riders safe and ensuring emergency personnel have the clear access they need to do their work.”
Waymos use an advanced array of LiDAR sensors to navigate roads, using the mapped images to heeld at pedestrians, work around traffic lights, etc.; a collection of cameras also offers input for the onboard AI software to operate and “solve” traffic problems and operate; without proper input or cues, Waymo cars effectively “brick” when they doesn’t know what to do next — as was evident earlier this year when Waymos got stuck behind fireworks and left listless after dozens were summoned to a dead-end street.
Makes you wonder why this issue was never raised before?$TSLA over $500—this will boost the bull case scenario!
Video shows Waymo vehicles confused during a power outage in SF. 😢😂
— BlueCollarMillionaire (@TheReal_BCM) December 21, 2025
As of publishing, Wyamo’s services in San Francisco are still paused. It’s unclear when they’ll go back online … but presumably after SF gets pulled out of this spell of darkness.
