28-04-2025
Santa Monica residents fed up with ‘incessant' robotaxi noise
Some residents in Santa Monica are upset with what they describe as 'noise pollution' caused by Waymo charging stations in one neighborhood.
The lot where dozens of driverless Waymo cars charge is located on Broadway near Euclid Street and, based on Google Maps, is surrounded by homes, schools, and several other businesses.
Christopher Potter, a resident who started an online petition, says he and his neighbors are bothered by an 'incessant disturbance' of beeping sounds as the autonomous vehicles back out of their spaces – dozens of times per hour, by his estimate.
'The elementary school across the street already has parents backing up the street to pick up their kids. Now add the constant stream of driverless vehicles running in and out of the two lots in Santa Monica, and it's crazy,' Potter writes.
He says one neighbor took the extreme step of blocking the driverless cars from entering the lot and was slapped with a restraining order from Waymo. 'I don't blame him — these things are just going around the block endlessly,' Potter says.
Waymo launched its service in the Los Angeles area in November 2024 and primarily operates in West L.A. with around 100 vehicles currently. The petition is demanding that the company alter the cars' programming so the beeping volume is considerably lower when they're charging in their own lot.
For its part, Waymo says it has already implemented steps to reduce noise in the area by planting trees and other plants to serve as sound barriers.
Watch: Waymo robotaxi takes evasive action to avoid dangerous drivers in DTLA
'The City of Santa Monica has taken sound measurements at the charging facility,' the company said in a statement to the Santa Monica Daily Press. 'City Code Enforcement staff confirmed the noise levels did not rise to the level of a violation of the City's Exterior Noise Standards.'
City officials acknowledge receiving complaints but told the Daily Press that they have no jurisdiction over Waymo's operations, saying the California Public Utilities Commission and the Department of Motor Vehicles permit robotaxis.
'It's imperative that Waymo respects the right to peace and tranquility of the residents of Santa Monica,' Potter demands. 'We urge the management of Waymo and the city to address our concerns and undertake urgent measures.'
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