Featured Waymo kills beloved neighborhood cat

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Gokhan, Nov 4, 2025 at 3:34 AM.

  1. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    A Waymo car ran over a beloved neighborhood cat, who was sitting in front of it by the curb and then went under it just before it suddenly started with a jerk maneuver to change to the next lane. It is sad.

    I see what is wrong here:
    • Bystanders seeing the cat sitting in front of the car but not alerting the cat or the car
    • Waymo not programmed for cat or animal safety
    • Waymo accelerating and maneuvering way too fast, faster than a typical human driver would do—while this is safe in AI-predictable situations, it is not what a skilled driver do and dangerous in unexpected situations
    • Better warning sounds
    • Safety upgrade involving animals needed
    Waymo confirms its car killed KitKat, Mission bodega cat
     
    #1 Gokhan, Nov 4, 2025 at 3:34 AM
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Still no cameras under robo taxis? History repeats itself! Cruise automated taxis had the exact same problem in San Francisco when a pedestrian was struck by another vehicle and thrown under the taxi and despite pleas from people to stop the robo-taxi instead "pulled over to a safe location" dragging the victim under the vehicle as it drove. Even worse in true tech bros fashion they tried to cover up what happened until state and federal investigators realized that city police report was different than their reports. The state revoked their license to operate and company fell apart soon after. Hundreds of millions in VC funding/planning was lost. Cruise admits to false report in 2023 dragging of San Francisco pedestrian - CBS San Francisco
     
    #2 PriusCamper, Nov 4, 2025 at 3:44 AM
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2025 at 3:50 AM
  3. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    If we can't trust you with our neighborhood cat; how will we ever trust you with a safe ride somewhere? #banwaymo
     
    #3 PriusCamper, Nov 4, 2025 at 3:54 AM
  4. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    FSD repeatedly slows and stops for cats and other critters in the lane or steers around them. Someone suggested potholes should have cats or cat robots anchored in them.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #4 bwilson4web, Nov 4, 2025 at 4:01 AM
  5. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    At least until Elon decides that cats and other critters deserve to be the latest skapegoat to justify more tax cuts and more government contracts for billionaires, which is the only was to "save" the economy.
     
    #5 PriusCamper, Nov 4, 2025 at 4:39 AM
  6. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Another thread destined to end up in romper room.
     
    #6 frodoz737, Nov 4, 2025 at 7:24 AM
  7. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Robots please. I draw a line at anchoring cats.
     
    #7 ChapmanF, Nov 4, 2025 at 9:23 AM
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