A Waymo driverless car sank into wet cement at Laguna Honda Hospital, highlighting the ongoing challenges of autonomous vehicle technology. Meanwhile, a proposed permit for mapping SFO roads for driverless cars was abruptly canceled, despite previous discussions and a standing meeting between Waymo and SFO officials.
On Friday morning, a driverless Waymo vehicle, for reasons unknown, rolled into a patch of wet cement on the grounds of Laguna Honda Hospital — and sank in. It was, for onlookers, a source of much mirth and cellphone picture-taking.
But the times, they are a-changing. A recent public records request reveals that Waymo and SFO officials, like Herb Caen and Willie Brown in the days of yore, have a standing meeting: “SFO // Waymo Bi-weekly Connect,” reads one subject line. Expect the Teamsters and their allies in government to view the airport mapping permit as a camel’s nose situation — except it’s not a camel coming into the tent but a fleet of camels. And those camels want to take humans’ union jobs.
Next time you’re at SFO and have a minute, try counting the Ubers, Lyfts and other ride-hail vehicles. The airport gets $5.50 for each one. Budget numbers are big at SFO —So, there’s gold in them thar Waymos for SFO. And there’s gold in them thar SFO for Waymo. But if the airport and Waymo are getting the gold mine in this deal, South Bay leaders are bemoaning that they’re getting the shaft.
Anders Fung, the mayor of Millbrae, adds that “technology is a good thing. But everybody needs to pay their fair share.”
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