how many waymo cars were burned in la

[KendraRose]

A total of two Waymo autonomous vehicles were intentionally set on fire during a large-scale public disturbance in Los Angeles on the evening of February 10, 2024. The incident did not occur during normal testing operations but was part of a crowd's actions during a Chinese New Year celebration in the city's downtown core. According to official statements from both Waymo and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the vehicles were empty at the time, and there were no injuries reported. This event is considered a targeted act of vandalism rather than a failure of the autonomous technology itself.

The first vehicle, a Jaguar I-PACE, was surrounded by a crowd, its windows were broken, and a firework was lit inside, causing a significant fire that destroyed the car. A second Waymo vehicle nearby was also vandalized and set ablaze. The LAPD is investigating the incident. Waymo emphasized that such events are rare and that safety protocols are in place. The company's vehicles are equipped with a communication system that allows remote advisors to monitor situations and, if necessary, guide the vehicle to a safe stop. This incident highlights the complex challenges, including public perception and safety, that companies face when deploying autonomous vehicle technology in urban environments. The data below outlines key details of the incident.

Incident Detail	Specific Information
Date of Incident	February 10, 2024
Location	Downtown Los Angeles, Chinatown area
Number of Waymo Cars Burned	2
Vehicle Model	Jaguar I-PACE (Waymo's 5th generation driver)
Cause	Intentional vandalism by a crowd
Injuries	None reported
Status of Investigation	Active investigation by LAPD
Waymo's Public Statement	Confirmed the incident, highlighted no injuries, and reiterated safety protocols

[DiArcher]

I remember seeing the videos all over social media that night. It was chaotic. A big crowd in downtown LA surrounded these two self-driving cars, smashed the windows, and just lit them up. Waymo confirmed it was two of their Jaguar SUVs. The important thing is nobody was inside. It was pure vandalism, not a car malfunction. Stuff like this just makes you wonder about the public's reaction to this new technology.

[LeGia]

From a security and operations standpoint, the loss was two vehicles. The key takeaway is that the incident was a result of external human factors, not a failure of the autonomous driving system. Waymo's protocols worked; the vehicles were not in passenger service. While damaging, it was a contained event that provided critical data on managing fleet security during unforeseen public disturbances, which is a valuable, if unfortunate, learning experience for the industry.

[AshlynDella]

It was two cars. I read the police blotter and Waymo's press release. The event happened on February 10th during a festival. The cars were empty, which is the main relief. The investigation is focusing on the individuals in the crowd who started the fires. This is a significant event because it shifts the conversation from the technology's safety to the public's readiness for it, which is a whole different challenge for these companies.

[DelAlyssa]

Yeah, two Waymo Jaguars got torched. I live here, and the news was all over it. Happened in Chinatown. The cars were just sitting there when a rowdy crowd decided to go after them. It's a shame. It had nothing to do with how the cars drive themselves and everything to do with a bad situation getting out of hand. Waymo said it was an isolated event, and thankfully, no one was hurt. It just puts a spotlight on the weird challenges this tech faces.