Overview
- Supervisor Jackie Fielder introduced a resolution urging state lawmakers to let counties decide by ballot whether autonomous taxis can operate on their roads.
- Waymo confirmed one of its vehicles struck KitKat while pulling away from a pickup, offered condolences and a donation, and has not released incident video or answered detailed questions.
- Two eyewitnesses reported the cat stood in front of the car for several seconds before moving beneath it, a version that conflicts with Waymo’s description of the cat darting under the vehicle.
- Autonomous-vehicle experts cited known perception gaps such as lack of detection beneath vehicles and absence of object permanence, and pressed Waymo for training details and clearer safety protocols.
- Teamsters and transit advocates backed the push at a Mission District rally, as Waymo operates under state DMV and CPUC permits and expands its Bay Area fleet, raising stakes for any shift to local control.