Waymo Cars' Midnight Honk Fest at San Francisco Parking Lot

What Happens to Self-Driving Taxis Overnight?

Have you ever pondered where all those self-driving taxis go when the city sleeps? One innovative YouTube channel has found a way to satisfy that curiosity. Software engineer Sophia Tung has been live-streaming a parking lot in San Francisco, rented by Waymo, where these robotaxis go to rest during their downtime.

Waymo's Robotaxi Service in San Francisco

Waymo recently expanded its robotaxi service to the public in San Francisco, leading to an interesting situation. According to Tung, the company started occupying the parking lot on July 28th, initially taking a partial space and eventually renting the entire area. She set up a live feed that not only streams footage of the parking space but also includes LoFi study beats, creating a unique viewing experience for fans of autonomous vehicles.

Live-Streaming the Action

With a mini PC and a cleverly constructed glare-reducing setup using a cereal box and a webcam, Tung allows viewers worldwide to check in on the Waymo robotaxis any time of day. The stream captures the periodic influx and migration of vehicles in and out of the parking lot, notably between 7 PM and 9 PM PST from Sunday to Thursday and from 11 PM to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Noisy Ballet of Autonomous Parking

As reported by Tung, the parking lot generally remains calm, often just hosting a few cars. However, when the lot becomes busy—usually around 4 AM—the scene turns into what she describes as "a maddening ballet of autonomous parking and honking." This chaotic moment can persist for about an hour, showcasing the unique behaviors of these self-driving cars as they navigate the parking area.

Waymo's Response to Honking

Chris Bonelli, a representative from Waymo, confirmed that the company is aware of the honking noise that sometimes arises while their vehicles navigate the parking lot and is actively working on resolving the issue.

A Community Fascinated by Robotaxis

Tung describes the general public reaction as "bemused," and she finds the ongoing movement of the cars entertaining. The only considerable issue has been the honking, which, according to her, is being addressed. This unique concept of a live feed not only entertains but also provides insight into the operations of self-driving technology in real time.

Conclusion

As technology continues to innovate, the fascination with self-driving taxis grows. With platforms like Tung's YouTube channel, viewers can engage with the evolution of autonomous vehicles in an intriguing manner, further enhancing the public's interest in self-driving technology and its implications for the future of transportation.