What started as a novelty ride in a Waymo robotaxi ended with two 15-year-olds detained in San Mateo yesterday, after police say the teens were drinking alcohol and firing toy projectiles from inside the driverless car. Officers stopped the vehicle, pulled the riders out, and said there were no injuries.
As reported by KTVU, the San Mateo Police Department posted video showing officers surrounding the parked Waymo and detaining the two youths. Investigators said the pair were shooting orange gel beads, commonly known as Orbeez, from what appeared to be a painted toy SplatRBall while also consuming alcohol as the vehicle cruised around town.
How Waymo Flagged The Ride
According to Waymo's Help Center, its vehicles use interior cameras and sensors to help keep rides safe. The company says its support team may review video under certain circumstances and, in more urgent circumstances, can access live video during a trip.
Waymo's documentation explains that those interior cameras can be used to check that in-car rules are being followed and to assist in emergencies. That setup goes a long way toward explaining how the company was able to spot the Orbeez-and-alcohol antics and alert authorities in real time.
Police Response At The Scene
Video released by the San Mateo Police Department shows officers approaching the Waymo and detaining the riders, KTVU reported. In a social media post, the department warned that toy guns, water guns and BB guns "pose real dangers" and noted that high-speed gel beads can cause damage.
CBS Bay Area added that police did not identify the teens and said no injuries were reported.
Rules And Possible Charges
According to California Criminal Jury Instructions (CALCRIM), Business and Professions Code section 25662 makes it a misdemeanor for anyone under 21 to possess alcohol in a public place. Local reporting and the police post did not say whether formal charges would be filed.
The San Francisco Chronicle also noted that, under Waymo's rules, passengers 17 and under are generally expected to ride with an adult.
What This Means For Robotaxi Rides
The San Mateo incident lands as cities and operators are still figuring out how to handle safety and enforcement in a world where cars drive themselves but passengers do not always behave. The Los Angeles Times recently reported on teens in another market leaning out of moving Waymo vehicles.
For now, San Mateo police are using the episode as a cautionary tale, warning parents about the risks of toy weapons and underage drinking. On the tech side, Waymo's support tools give the company a way to catch misbehavior mid-ride and call in the real drivers of consequence: local law enforcement.
