Waymo Self-Driving Taxi Caught Driving Wrong Way Through Whataburger Drive-Thru, Officer Struggles to Stop It

Waymo Vehicle Drives Wrong Way Into Whataburger Drive-Thru

A Waymo self-driving taxi caused chaos in San Antonio over the weekend after it drove the wrong way into a Whataburger drive-thru lane, prompting police intervention. A viral TikTok video shows an officer waving his arms at the driverless vehicle in an attempt to stop it.

Officer’s Frustrated Attempt to Stop Waymo

The incident occurred on Saturday, as captured in a TikTok video posted by user @alysonaranda. The clip shows the officer standing in front of the Waymo vehicle, waving his arms in an apparent effort to halt its movement. The video’s caption mocked the situation, stating: “Oh nothing, just our SAPD queens trying to direct a Waymo driving the wrong way in a Whataburger drive-thru.”

“Oh nothing, just our SAPD queens trying to direct a Waymo driving the wrong way in a Whataburger drive-thru.”

The video also included a TikTok audio clip, “This Is The Life Demo Hannah Montana – out of context hannah montana,” adding a humorous tone to the incident.

Waymo Vehicle Was Occupied During Incident

According to the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), the Waymo vehicle was occupied when it entered the drive-thru lane from the wrong direction. The department confirmed to local news outlet MySA that officers followed protocol to access and manually move the vehicle.

It remains unclear whether a remote Waymo operator or the officer physically moved the vehicle to resolve the situation.

Waymo’s Reliance on Human Intervention

Despite Waymo’s claims of “fully autonomous” operation, the incident underscores the company’s continued dependence on human intervention. Waymo employs an extensive team of remote operators in the U.S. and the Philippines to assist vehicles when they encounter obstacles or get stuck.

The SAPD stated that officers followed the emergency response guide provided by Waymo, which includes procedures for disabling autonomous driving mode and turning the vehicle off entirely. Waymo also supplied law enforcement with a hotline for remote assistance, where human operators can provide additional environmental context to the vehicle.

Waymo’s Troubled History in Texas

This is not the first time Waymo’s autonomous vehicles have faced scrutiny in Texas. In late 2023, the Austin Independent School District accused Waymo of “illegally and dangerously” passing school buses while their red lights were flashing. The incident led to a federal recall, yet Waymo’s vehicles have continued to struggle with basic traffic laws, including stopping for school buses.

As reported by Wired, the company’s failure to address these issues raises concerns about the safety and reliability of its autonomous driving technology.

Waymo’s Expansion and Public Backlash

Waymo has rapidly expanded its fleet of self-driving taxis in major U.S. cities, including San Antonio, where it launched its driverless ride-hailing service in February 2024. However, the rollout has been met with criticism over stalled vehicles blocking traffic, sudden stops on busy roads, and now, incidents like the Whataburger drive-thru mishap.

Municipal agencies across the country have reported being overwhelmed with calls about Waymo vehicles causing disruptions, further straining city resources.

Ongoing Challenges for Autonomous Vehicles

The Whataburger incident highlights the persistent challenges facing autonomous vehicle technology, despite advancements in the field. While companies like Waymo promote their systems as fully autonomous, real-world scenarios often require human intervention to prevent accidents or traffic disruptions.

As Waymo continues to expand its operations, incidents like this serve as a reminder of the gaps that still exist in autonomous driving technology.