New ‘KnoWay’ robotaxis cause chaos in upcoming Grand Theft Auto Online DLC

The upcoming update for Grand Theft Auto Online introduces a new element of chaos with the addition of robotaxis from a fictional company called "KnoWay." A recently released trailer showcases these autonomous vans, equipped with lidar sensors, careening through the game's cityscape, colliding with other vehicles, and even crashing through a billboard advertising the company. The expansion, titled "A Safehouse in the Hills," is set to launch on December 10. While the trailer hints at the robotaxis engaging in reckless behavior reminiscent of real-world autonomous vehicles, it's unclear whether players will have the ability to hijack them or if they are simply malfunctioning. Rockstar Games has suggested that players will be tasked with halting the establishment of a mass surveillance network in this action-packed adventure. The storyline also introduces an AI assistant named "Haviland," indicating that themes surrounding technology and surveillance play a significant role in this expansion. This aligns with ongoing concerns about real-world companies like Waymo, which has faced backlash regarding its robotaxis being implicated in the increasing surveillance state. Despite Waymo's efforts to protect its fleet from vandalism, including incidents of vehicles being damaged or destroyed, the game seems to reflect these societal tensions. The tagline for KnoWay's "autonomous hailing system"—"We Kno where you’re going"—suggests that players might channel their frustrations with surveillance issues into their gameplay, targeting these virtual vehicles when the expansion drops later this month. Waymo has refrained from commenting on the game, but at a recent event, co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana expressed her company's commitment to working with law enforcement to address acts of vandalism against their fleet.