The driverless car industry has faced several issues, including accidents, software glitches, and regulatory hurdles. Major companies in the industry have experienced significant losses in value, and some have faced shutdowns, layoffs, and plunging shares. Safety concerns and public skepticism have also impacted the adoption of autonomous vehicles, leading to delays in launching self-driving services.
Some San Francisco residents have reacted negatively to Waymo's driverless cars, with a crowd of revelers destroying a riderless Waymo in February. The driverless car industry has also faced scrutiny due to crashes and complaints from city officials about obstructions and delays.
Waymo started its commercial test service in San Francisco in August 2021.