Researchers are investigating whether vehicle interior design can deter passengers from engaging in sexual acts inside autonomous robotaxis. The inquiry follows reports that individuals have used General Motors' former Cruise service for such purposes, a behavior that also emerged after Tesla introduced hands-free driving features. Alexandros Rouchitsas, a human factors and UX researcher, organized a workshop titled "Love in Traffic" in late September in Sweden. The event gathered academics and industry professionals to discuss how design might address this specific issue.
The San Francisco Standard interviewed multiple individuals who claimed to have had sex in Cruise robotaxis. One man explained that the absence of a driver removes social barriers, making passengers increasingly comfortable. He stated that with a serious partner, the situation can escalate to other activities. Rouchitsas noted that vehicle interiors have long been sexualized in popular culture, appearing in movies, lyrics, and photography.
A key distinction between robotaxis and human-driven rides is the lack of social obligation to interact with a driver. Without the need for small talk or exposure to a driver's opinions, riders may assume a higher level of privacy than the vehicle's cameras and terms of service actually provide. This misconception was highlighted by a pair of teens who hired a Waymo ride this summer. They got drunk during the trip and shot gel beads out the windows, learning the consequences of ignoring the limitations of their perceived privacy.