Where there’s smoke, there’s an autonomous vehicle blocking a fire

One group isn’t pleased about it, per NPR — the city’s first responders. Two weeks ago: Regulators greenlit GM’s Cruise and Google’s Waymo robotaxi expansion in SF, allowing them to serve live, paying customers 24/7. One week ago: Right on cue, a Cruise vehicle collided with a fire truck en route to an emergency. Waymo claims its cars are designed to identify, and yield to, emergency vehicles, among other built-in precautions — like a 24-hour hotline to connect first responders and Waymo staff. Trust the LA residents behind this newsletter: The city’s drivers need no help making the roads absolutely impossible for emergency vehicles.