Love them or hate them, Self-driving cars are clearly here to stay. Companies promoting autonomous vehicles have long insisted that self-driving taxis are the future, promising safety, convenience, and a revolution in urban transportation. One of the biggest names in this space is Waymo, backed by Google, which repeatedly emphasizes that its vehicles are extremely safe. However, a recent incident in Los Angeles, California, suggests that even the most advanced self-driving cars are not foolproof. A woman who had ordered a Waymo for her daughter was shocked to discover a man hiding in the trunk of the vehicle. The man was visible, peeking out from behind the backseat, stuck in the trunk area. Understandably, the woman demanded to know why he was there.
According to the video the Los Angeles woman later uploaded, the man explained that he could not get out and had been tucked inside the trunk by “the people.” The vague response left the woman confused, especially since Waymo vehicles are autonomous and do not typically involve other human drivers. The man continued trying to explain, but the woman, clearly unsettled, stepped back, and the video ended there.
The clip quickly went viral on TikTok, sparking widespread discussion and concern. Many viewers were shocked and horrified that something like this could happen in a Waymo car. “Oh, that’s terrifying. He was trying to attack you,” one user commented. The Los Angeles woman reassured followers that her daughter was safe and that she had called the police to report the incident.
While the incident was certainly alarming, some people questioned whether it had actually happened. “Doesn’t Waymo have like 30 cameras inside the car? Why did they not detect someone still in the vehicle?” one user asked. Normally, Waymo cars are designed to wait for all passengers to exit before accepting another ride, making this incident particularly puzzling. Another person added, “Literally saw a video where they squeezed an extra person in and the Waymo said it had cameras and would not move until they got out. How was this overlooked?”
Questions about the man’s statement regarding “the people” also circulated online. Was he forced into the trunk by other passengers? Was this some kind of prank? Some users shared similar experiences. “Me and my boyfriend requested a Waymo. When it arrived, the trunk was open. We were shocked because we never asked Waymo to open the trunk. That is probably what happened. He got in once he saw it open,” one commenter suggested.
