Waymo fails to wake a Sleeping Beauty in the back seat [Watch]
Meg Quinn is a food stylist and charcuterie board influencer (hey, I’m happy when folks can find an income in their passions) based in Los Angeles, California. If you might imagine, her content mostly revolves around stylish dining and creative entertaining. But on Sunday, she was on an early morning walk with her kid and came across a Waymo parked on the side of the road.
POV: You fall asleep in a self-driving car, and Waymo can’t wake you up (or make you get out)
When you hear about Waymo shenanigans, it usually involves the self-driving cars messing up to some degree or another. They’re honking incessantly at each other, blocking the road, or taking a passenger in dizzying circles, to name a few.
However, Quinn spotted a Waymo politely asking a passenger to wake up, please.
The Waymo chimes loudly, albeit pleasantly, on repeat. “Hey, it’s time to wake up,” the robot voice calls fondly to its Sleeping Beauty. The passenger’s sneakered feet dangle out the right rear window.
Quinn says she heard snoring, feeling a bit guilty that she didn’t rustle the passenger awake herself. But she cited her personal safety and that of her young child. She guessed that the passenger had been out all night “living it up” and ordered the Waymo to take them home.
One commenter, who says they drive with Lyft, pointed out that if Waymo had used a less soothing male voice, it’s unlikely that the passenger would still be snoozing. I guess it depends on how hard they partied, though.