The death of a beloved neighborhood bodega cat named Kit Kat in San Francisco's Mission District has ignited a fresh wave of criticism against Waymo's robotaxi operations and sparked renewed debate over autonomous vehicle safety. The incident, which occurred on the evening of October 27, has deeply shaken the local community, prompting calls for greater accountability for driverless cars.
Following the tragic event, where Kit Kat was reportedly run over by a Waymo robotaxi, residents of the Mission District created a memorial shrine to honor the feline. The area has since become a focal point for public sentiment, adorned with signs both criticizing Waymo and, conversely, highlighting the numerous fatalities caused by human drivers.
The incident quickly escalated into a political discussion. Jackie Fielder, who represents the Mission District on San Francisco's Board of Supervisors, publicly referenced Kit Kat's death while advocating for a proposed city resolution. This resolution seeks to empower local voters to decide on the operation of driverless cars within their neighborhoods. Fielder emphasized the difference in accountability between human and autonomous drivers.
"A human driver can be held accountable, can hop out, say sorry, can be tracked down by police if it's a hit-and-run," Fielder told The New York Times. "Here, there is no one to hold accountable."
Waymo, whose co-CEO recently spoke about the paramount importance of safety at a Disrupt conference, issued a statement regarding the incident. The company described the event as one where a cat "darted under our vehicle as it was pulling away." Waymo extended its "deepest sympathies to the cat's owner and the community who knew and loved him."
