local
Here's how Waymo tricked unruly teen passengers in San Mateo
By Amy Larson at KRON4 (KRON-TV)
· July 7, 2026
· 1 min read
SAN MATEO, Calif. (KRON) -- Waymo is always watching, two teenagers on summer break found out this week. The 15-year-old passengers were riding in a driverless autonomous car around San Mateo Monday afternoon. The teens drank alcohol inside the Waymo taxi and shot Orbeez beads with a toy gun towa...
Key takeaway The 15-year-old passengers were riding in a driverless autonomous car around San Mateo Monday afternoon.
Why this matters in The San Francisco
The incident in San Mateo raises questions about the safety and security measures in place for autonomous vehicles operating in the Bay Area. As companies like Waymo continue to test and deploy their technology in local communities, it's crucial to consider how they will handle unruly or irresponsible passengers. In this case, the fact that a Waymo employee was able to intervene and address the situation suggests that the company has some level of oversight in place. However, it's unclear what protocols are in place to prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place, particularly in a city like San Francisco where ride-hailing services are heavily used. As autonomous vehicles become more prevalent on local roads, residents will be watching to see how companies like Waymo balance the need for safety and security with the desire for convenience and innovation.
About this story
Original reporting by KRON4 (KRON-TV) . The San Francisco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KRON4 (KRON-TV) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: KRON4 (KRON-TV) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? SAN MATEO, Calif. (KRON) -- Waymo is always watching, two teenagers on summer break found out this week. The 15-year-old passengers were riding in a driverless autonomous car around San Mateo Monday afternoon. The teens drank alcohol inside the Waymo taxi and shot Orbeez beads with a toy gun towa...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by KRON4 (KRON-TV) and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Amy Larson at KRON4 (KRON-TV). To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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