Waymo Staff Called Police Over an Orbeez Gun in a Robotaxi, WIRED Says

A Waymo robotaxi stayed in a San Mateo County parking lot until police arrived after company staff watching its cabin cameras called 911. The apparent handgun was actually shooting water-filled Orbeez, according to an October 2 WIRED story by Aarian Marshall about an incident this past summer.

A police report described two teens who appeared to be shooting a black handgun out the vehicle’s window. They were playing with it and drinking between shots, the report said. The object fired water-filled Orbeez rather than bullets, resolving the central misunderstanding behind the apparent threat.

Human eyes, automated flags

Waymo says its vehicles have automated technology that can flag a firearm inside the cabin. Spokesperson Julia Ilina told WIRED that the company uses automated technology to help its teams identify potential violations.

Whether an automated firearm flag triggered the human review remains unclear.

A 2025 patent describes interior cameras performing automated ride checklists before, during and after trips. Ilina did not say whether that system is deployed.

Just because you’re alone in the car doesn’t mean you’re alone in the car. You should behave as if there’s a jumpy person in the front seat.

Matthew Guariglia, senior policy analyst at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, speaking to WIRED

A police call is not the same as a data request

Waymo says human staff view interior cameras only when needed. It also says personal data, including recordings, may be provided to law enforcement or regulators. Its support guidance directs government agencies seeking data to follow valid legal processes when making requests.

Safety checks without settled privacy rules

The safety argument for cabin cameras is straightforward. Justin Brookman, who directs technology policy at Consumer Reports, told WIRED that a vehicle without a driver needs some way to check passenger behavior. But he also argued that expectations about what these new services should see, save and use are not yet settled.

Privacy experts interviewed by WIRED said the United States has few clear rules governing this kind of consumer surveillance. Riders often agree to lengthy terms before using ride-hailing apps, leaving them dependent on companies’ handling of their information. Guariglia criticized lawmakers for leaving consumers without stronger protections over what happens after data is collected.