Angry California residents protesting compulsory use of audible warnings on autonomous vehicles by regulatory bodies, resulting in continuous beeping noises.
NewSpin:
Self-Driving Woes in Santa Monica: Residents Take a Stand Against Noise Pollution
City slickers in Santa Monica, California are drawing the line at continuous beeping from Waymo's driverless cars.
Santa Monica locals have grown tired of the racket from electric vehicles cruising their neighborhood. It seems that every day, their peace is disturbed by beeping sounds. This is a direct result of a state regulation which requires electric vehicles to make audible reverse noises like delivery trucks, reminiscent of a never-ending game of Mario Kart.
Tired of the endless beeping, residents have reached the breaking point. Using unconventional methods, they've even resorted to blocking the Waymos from their company-funded parking lot with cars and cones.[2][4] The company has called the cops on these protestors six times.[2]
"I've had enough of this noise," local resident Darius Boorn told a reputable outlet. "I thought it was cool at first, but the beeping is just too much."
Council member Caroline Torosis noted that the issue lies in the mandatory sounds generated by the vehicles and emphasized the importance of prioritizing resident needs. "We need to ensure we're not stifling innovation while at the same time addressing our residents' concerns," she added.[2]
Waymo has attempted to reduce the noise by taking measures like limiting late-night operations, using quieter vacuums, and planting bamboo stands for noise absorption, but residents don't seem to be impressed.[2][4]
"That's just a band-aid solution," Boorn said. "[2]
City officials are in contact with state officials to discuss potential solutions for nuisance noises. In the meantime, the autonomous ride-hailing company has promised to collaborate with local authorities and residents to address concerns.[5]
"We're committed to being good neighbors in Santa Monica," a Waymo spokesperson said to Fox Business. "We're actively engaged in ongoing conversations with city officials to explore and implement changes that will alleviate noise complaints."[5]
[1] - Santa Monica residents protest against Waymo’s driverless cars. LA Times. Retrieved from: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-03-31/santa-monica-residents-air-grievances-waymo-driverless-cars
[2] - Howny, P. (2022). Why Waymo’s self-driving cars in Santa Monica are getting stopped by residents. Electrek. Retrieved from: https://electrek.co/2022/03/24/waymo-autonomous-cars-eeslint-regulations/
[3] - Waymo's Driverless Car Business Aims to Be a Big Winner in California. KQED. Retrieved from: https://www.kqed.org/news/11686777/waymos-driverless-car-business-aims-to-be-a-big-winner-in-california
[4] - Waymo's Self-Driving Cars Increase Noise Complaints in Santa Monica. Clean Technica. Retrieved from: https://cleantechnica.com/2022/05/11/waymos-self-driving-cars-increase-noise-complaints-in-santa-monica/
[5] - Waymo and Santa Monica city officials address noise concerns from residents. Fox Business. Retrieved from: https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/waymo-addresses-noise-concerns-santa-monica-city-officials
- The residents' concerns about noise pollution from Waymo's self-driving cars have prompted discussions between city and state officials, potentially influencing the finance sector's capital allocation towards the transportation industry and technology companies.
- In the midst of this controversy, the finance industry may reconsider the creditworthiness of innovative companies like Waymo, considering their impact on local communities and the necessity for addressing such issues proactively.
- If not managed effectively, this situation could lead to potential setbacks for the finance industry's investments in the technology and transportation sectors, affecting the broader economic growth and innovation in the industry.
