Self-Driving Waymo Cars Go Off Course in Atlanta, Echoing a Cyberpunk 2077 Sidequest

Every day, the news brings stories that feel like they’ve jumped straight out of a Cyberpunk 2077 sidequest, from tales of AI-induced madness to pilotable robots roaming urban landscapes like Los Angeles. These narratives echo the dystopian themes of the game, hinting at a future that Cyberpunk 2077 warns us about—one that’s alarmingly close. Recently, we’ve witnessed a bizarre real-life scenario that seems to mirror this fiction: a group of rogue self-driving cars causing a stir in Atlanta.

Local news reports from Atlanta reveal that a fleet of Waymo self-driving cars, typically used for ridesharing, has been gathering in a northwest neighborhood and circling a cul-de-sac. Residents estimate that around 50 of these vehicles pass through their area on a dead-end street, usually during the early morning hours.

According to locals on Battleview Drive, this peculiar procession of driverless cars began around March, with the circling behavior intensifying in recent weeks. When one resident placed a Step2Kid sign in the street to block the Waymos from entering the cul-de-sac, it led to eight automated cars getting stuck as they attempted to “figure out how to turn around.”

Despite the community’s concerns, Waymo has not provided clear answers about the situation, leaving many residents worried about the safety of children and pets in the area. One neighbor expressed their unease, stating, “We’re families, we have small animals and pets, got kids getting on the bus in the morning, and it just doesn’t feel safe to have that traffic.”

In response, Waymo issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to being good neighbors and addressing community feedback. They highlighted their extensive service record, claiming to significantly reduce traffic injuries and enhance road safety while maintaining a respectful relationship with Atlanta residents.

For those familiar with Cyberpunk 2077, there’s a quest line titled “Epistrophy,” where players navigate Night City, interacting with various Delamain AI personalities that inhabit self-driving cars, often causing chaos. While these Waymo vehicles may lack such AI quirks, this incident serves as a stark reminder that the speculative visions of a dark future presented by CD Projekt Red and R. Talsorian Games might not be as far-fetched as we’d like to believe.