Protesters Trap Passengers Inside Waymo Vehicles

Irate protestor batters Waymo robotaxi, trapping passengers inside for six minutes

Mar. 27, 2026 at 1:04pm by Ben Kaplan

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A trio of Waymo passengers found themselves trapped inside their self-driving car as an irate protestor battered the vehicle for six minutes, punching the windows and berating the riders with death threats. The incident highlights growing tensions between Waymo and some members of the public who are critical of the company's autonomous vehicle technology.

Why it matters

Waymo's self-driving cars have faced increasing backlash from some residents in the San Francisco Bay Area, who have accused the company's robotaxis of blocking first responders, draining government resources, and even causing pet deaths. This latest incident shows how protestors are exploiting the safety features of Waymo's vehicles, which are programmed to stop if a human is detected nearby, leaving passengers trapped and vulnerable.

The details

According to reports, a tech industry worker named Doug Fulop and two other passengers were inside a Waymo vehicle one January night when they were accosted by an irate protestor. The man proceeded to punch the robotaxi's windows and berate the riders with death threats for six minutes. Waymo vehicles are designed to stop if a human is detected in close proximity, resulting in the passengers being trapped inside the immobilized car as the protestor continued his assault.

  • The incident occurred in January 2026.

The players

Doug Fulop

A tech industry worker in the San Francisco Bay Area who was a passenger in the Waymo vehicle during the incident.

Waymo

An American autonomous driving company and a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.

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What they’re saying

“We felt helpless. If he had kept hammering on one window instead of alternating, I'm sure he would have eventually broken through.”

— Doug Fulop, Waymo passenger

“As passengers, we deserve more safety than that if someone is trying to attack us. This can't be the policy to be trapped there.”

— Doug Fulop, Waymo passenger

What’s next

Waymo has stated that it is reviewing its pedestrian safety policies in light of this incident and similar protests targeting its autonomous vehicles. The company has also said it will work more closely with local law enforcement to address concerns from the public.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing tensions between Waymo and some members of the public who are critical of the company's autonomous vehicle technology. It raises questions about the safety and security of passengers in self-driving cars, especially when faced with aggressive protestors who can exploit the vehicles' safety features to trap riders inside.