By Andrew Miller
Dozens of self-driving cars are holding an Atlanta neighborhood hostage.
Whether it’s the machines’ attempt to intimidate the humans or simply a programming error, the empty cars drive in circles down a small cul-de-sac every day. Residents off of Battleview Drive have seen as many as 13 Waymo cars drive through in just 10 minutes.
Understandably, they’re concerned about the excessive traffic putting their kids and pets in danger. One neighbor witnessed two near misses with a neighborhood cat and a dog on a leash.
In an effort to fight back against the artificial adversaries, residents are putting signs in the road to deter the cars. It’s just making matters worse. The confused cars are getting stuck trying to turn around.
Every Friday in The Signet Letter, we share something interesting that you can bring up at dinner this weekend or drop into Monday morning’s small talk. Now, back to the story…
Some neighbors say they wouldn’t mind all the commotion if the cars were actually transporting passengers. But they’re always empty. It’s possible the cars are experiencing burnout.
The situation in Atlanta sounds similar to a mission in the video game, Cyberpunk 2077. The game takes place in a futuristic city inspired by Los Angeles and is full of artificial intelligence and cybernetic augmentations.
In the mission titled Don’t Lose Your Mind, an AI-run taxi company loses a few of its drivers due to technical malfunctions. The dispatcher and owner-operator, Delamain, realizes a virus has infected a few of his cabs.
Delamain asks the game’s protagonist to investigate and track them down. After meeting the first rogue cab, it’s clear that they’ve gained a mind of their own. Throughout the mission, each cab shows a unique personality. One speaks in riddles and another is completely paranoid, spouting conspiracy theories.
One of the cabs even developed a case of anxiety. It was afraid to leave its parking spot and get back on the road.
It’s possible some of Waymo’s self-driving cars have become terrified of Atlanta traffic. Anyone who’s experienced gridlock on the city’s 71 different Peachtree-labeled roads can relate.
P.S. If your funding search is going in circles, Signet Capital Group can get your business pointed in the right direction. Get in touch.