Waymo driverless taxis spark safety concerns in Denver and Atlanta

Waymo announced that limited autonomous rides for employees will start in Denver within weeks, with a public rollout planned later. The company has been mapping Denver roads since last year and test‑driving in winter conditions using human operators. Public reaction is mixed: supporters cite lower crash rates, while critics worry about job displacement, ethical issues and the cars’ ability to handle snow.

In Atlanta, residents posted video showing dozens of empty Waymo robotaxis circulating a quiet neighborhood for hours, raising safety worries about “deadhead miles” and the lack of human oversight. Experts highlighted the need for better accountability. A California startup, Aseon Labs, proposes modular “reset pods” that could serve as mini depots to clean, charge and inspect driverless cars closer to where they operate, aiming to reduce empty trips but also prompting debate over curb‑side placement.