--- title: "Waymo’s Self-Driving Taxis Have a Hilarious Problem That’s Driving People Bananas" description: "Self-driving cars might be taking the world by storm, but that doesn't mean everyone's happy about it. Some residents unfortunate enough to live next to the Waymo depot in Santa Monica, California discovered an incredible byproduct of Alphabet's self-driving cars: their insanely irritating back-up noise. \"It's one of the most annoying noises I could think of,\" one resident told local station KTLA. As the Los Angeles Times recently reported, local regulations require self-driving vehicles to emit a noise whenever they backup — something that happens a lot as Waymos return to base for a recharge. \"It's irritating. This neighborhood has a lot of noise, […]" date: "2025-05-31" modified: "2025-05-31" authors: - name: "Joe Wilkins" job_title: "Correspondent" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/jwilkins" url: "https://futurism.com/waymo-taxi-protest-noise" categories: - "Advanced Transport" - "Self-Driving Vehicles" tags: - "protest" - "self driving" - "waymo" --- # Waymo’s Self-Driving Taxis Have a Hilarious Problem That’s Driving People Bananas ![Some residents in Santa Monica, California discovered a byproduct of Waymo's self-driving cars: their insanely irritating back-up noise.]() *\Image: Getty / Futurism\* Self-driving cars might be taking the world by storm, but that doesn't mean everyone's happy about it. Some residents unfortunate enough to live next to the Waymo depot in Santa Monica, California discovered a dreadful byproduct of Alphabet's self-driving cars: their insanely irritating backup noise. "It's one of the most annoying noises I could think of," one resident [told local station *KTLA*](). As the [*Los Angeles Times* recently reported](), local regulations require self-driving vehicles to emit a noise whenever they backup — something that happens *a lot* as Waymos return to base for a recharge. "It's irritating. This neighborhood has a lot of noise, and to add one more level to it is not fair, I think, to this neighborhood," a local woman seethed to *KTLA*. "I know some people have been kept up at night, and woken up in the middle of the night." Using a tactic pioneered by activist group [Safe Street Rebel]() in 2023 — when self-driving cars first hit the streets in San Francisco — Santa Monica residents have taken to blocking Waymos with traffic cones, [personal vehicles](), and even their own bodies. Called "coning," the seemingly petty method emerged after the California Public Utilities Commission [voted 3-1]() to let Waymo and Cruise operate self-driving vehicles through California neighborhoods 24/7. Prior to the vote, public comments went for over six hours — not exactly the sign of a popular motion. To protest the decision to give Cruise and Waymo free reign over public streets, Safe Street Rebel engaged in a period of direct action which it called "[The Week of the Cone]()." Thanks to the group's campaign — not to mention a [mountain of incidents]() involving autonomous vehicles — the California DMV soon rescinded Cruise's license to operate vehicles in the state. "This is a clear victory for direct action and the power of people getting in the street," Safe Street Rebel [said in a statement](). "Our shenanigans made this an international story and forced a spotlight on the many issues with \[self-driving cars\]." Back in Santa Monica, however, Waymo isn't going down without a fight. The corporation has sued a number of nonviolent protestors, and has resorted to calling in local police to clear out angry residents, according to the *LA* *Times*. "My client engaged in justifiable protest, and Waymo attempted to obtain a restraining order against him, which was denied outright," said Rebecca Wester, an attorney representing a local resident. The backup noise is just the latest nuisance Waymo has thrust upon its neighbors. Nine months ago, San Francisco residents reported [choruses of horns]() ringing out at all hours of the day from a nearby Waymo depot, which occurs when dozens of the vehicles pile up in the cramped parking area. In response, [Waymo told local media]() that "we are aware that in some scenarios our vehicles may briefly honk while navigating our parking lots. We have identified the cause and are in the process of implementing a fix." **More on self-driving cars:** [*Passengers Alarmed as Self-Driving Car Kidnaps Them, Refuses to Let Them Exit*]() ## Author At Futurism, I focus on the intersection of technology and power — examining the economics, history, and politics behind today’s dystopian headlines. As a writer, I’m interested in topics ranging from AI’s impact on labor to startups nobody asked for. My prior work includes bylines in Jacobin, Verso, and Blue Labyrinths. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Forbes, The Guardian, MIT Technology Review, Time, The Nation, Mother Jones, The Verge, and Wired. I grew up in Michigan, attending Central Michigan University as well as Ball State University, where I earned a master of music. I now live in Brooklyn with my girlfriend and our cat Ziti. On weekends, you can find me hunched over a cold pint arguing geopolitics with the other transplants. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()