The Unfortunate Incident with Self-Driving Car
A Los Angeles tech entrepreneur became trapped in an unhinged self-driving vehicle so long that he nearly missed his flight, according to a report.
Mike Johns was heading to the airport in a self-operating “Waymo” taxi on his way home from Scottsdale, Ariz., last month when the rogue vehicle began driving in circles, causing him to make a panicked call for help, according to a CBS report.
“I got a flight to catch. Why is this thing going in a circle? I’m getting dizzy,” Johns said to a Waymo customer-service representative from the backseat of the spinning vehicle, according to a video the unlucky traveler posted on Linkedin.
The Pros and Cons of Technology
Technology is a great thing. Remote controls. Air conditioning. Apps like Snapchat that can make a funny filter on your face while you are taking a shit. Take your pick, they’re all fantastic. Technology has been a fantastic thing in our everyday lives. Everyday I am thankful I can load a dishwasher instead of wash things in the sink, as well as a million other things that make life easier.
I guess you could add self-driving cars to that list. In theory, that’s a great idea. Things like that all seem like great ideas.
Then you get a self-driving car going in circles in a parking lot with a guy desperate to make a flight. Maybe technology has gone too far. This poor guy is in the worst situation possible. He’s trapped so to speak but the car is moving at what 5 mph? If he really wanted to, he could jump out while it’s moving but the problem is it’s locked. I would be losing my mind if I was in that situation trying to call of all places a customer service rep. Being put on hold, hitting menu options, the cliche answers, and then worst of all them taking literally forever to pull the car over so I can make my flight. Just a disaster situation and technology is to blame.