--- title: "Waymo Robotaxis Keep Waking Up Neighbors With 4 AM Honking Spree" date: "2024-08-12" modified: "2024-08-12" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/waymo-robotaxis-keep-waking-up-neighbors-with-4-am-honking-spree" categories: - "Car Tech" - "News" - "Self-Driving Tech" tags: - "Electric Vehicle" - "I-Pace" - "Jaguar" - "suv/crossover" --- # Waymo Robotaxis Keep Waking Up Neighbors With 4 AM Honking Spree ![Waymo]() *Waymo* On June 25, [Waymo]() opened its robotaxis' doors to anyone in San Francisco. Previously, Waymo's funny-looking, self-driving [Jaguar I-Paces ]()were only available to people on a waitlist. But now anyone in San Francisco can download the app and hail their own robotic chauffeur. Even though it's only been a couple of months, the now-widely available Waymo cars are aggravating the neighbors by beeping incessantly at four o'clock in the morning. In between rides, many Waymo taxis return to the same parking lot to "rest," while they wait to be hailed yet again. That parking lot sits between several apartment buildings and the taxis will beep at each other throughout the night, keeping the neighbors awake. "The cars are robotic and they're honking at each other, and there's no one in the cars when it's happening," Chris Cherry, a San Francisco resident, told *[NBC Bay Area]()*. ![]() **Waymo** Since the robotaxis park themselves in the parking lot, they need to find open spaces. Sometimes, while trying to autonomously navigate lots, they might get close to bumping into other parked Waymos, which will then send off warning honks when the parking Waymo gets too close, just like a human would if someone is about to back into their car. But because the parking lot is filled with dozens of Waymos running all night, that happens a lot. According to the neighbors, the two times throughout the day when Waymos honk the most are around rush hour and 4 a.m. The former is likely due to the frequent usage, but the latter is an odd time. Maybe that's when the tired little robotaxis retire for the night. I don't think the neighbors care why, as the constant beeping keeps them awake. "We love having them there, we just would like for them to stop honking their horn at four in the morning repeatedly," said Cherry. Fortunately, Waymo knows of the problem and is working on a fix. "We are aware that in some scenarios our vehicles may briefly honk while navigating our parking lots." a Waymo spokesperson told *[NBC]()*. "We have identified the cause and are in the process of implementing a fix." As annoying as it is for neighbors of the Waymo-filled lot, it's undeniably funny watching the silly robot cars beep at each other. Even with the most advanced autonomous hardware and software in the world, they still act like a bunch of typical city drivers, honking at each other to complain about their crappy parking. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()