WAYMO MONEY, WAYMO PROBLEMS

Waymo Cuts Services in Downtown L.A. After Protesters Set Cars on Fire

The robotaxi firm suffered multiple losses over the weekend.

Self-driving taxi firm Waymo has temporarily blocked its cars from traveling to downtown Los Angeles after several of the robotaxis were vandalized and set on fire over the weekend. Anti-ICE protesters battling both the LAPD and National Guard on Sunday summoned the self-driving cars to their location, which were then torched and used to bypass roadblocks and shut down traffic after having their windows smashed and spray-painted with anti-ICE messages. Some protesters also threw electric Lime scooters into the blaze, the LA Times reports.“Burning lithium-ion batteries release toxic gases, including hydrogen fluoride, posing risks to responders and those nearby,” the LAPD said in a statement following the attacks. Waymo, which is owned by Google’s parent company Alphabet, announced it was working with law enforcement to identify the vandals and had removed the burning vehicles from the streets. It is not known when normal services will resume. A company spokesperson told Business Insider that they don’t believe the vehicles were intentionally targeted.