Tech giants might promise us a seamless future, but sometimes their autonomous vehicles have other plans. In a bizarre twist that’s becoming all too familiar in the Bay Area, Waymo’s self-driving cars are turning into unexpected luggage kidnappers.

The Case of the Vanishing Tennis Equipment

Daniel Linley, a San Francisco tennis instructor, found himself in a tech nightmare when a Waymo decided to play keep-away with his professional gear. After taking a ride from the Richmond District to Golden Gate Park, Linley claims the app glitched, preventing him from retrieving his tennis rackets and equipment.

Customer Service: The Digital Runaround

While on the phone with customer service, Linley watched in disbelief as the car drove off with his professional tools. Waymo’s response? A corporate-speak statement about “working to resolve the claim” and “reuniting riders with forgotten items” - which sounds suspiciously like tech-bro gaslighting.

A $12,500 Digital Dilemma

Frustrated and financially impacted, Linley is suing Waymo in small claims court for the maximum allowable amount. His claim isn’t just about lost equipment, but also the lost revenue from tennis lessons he couldn’t teach.

The big takeaway? In the world of autonomous vehicles, always double-check your belongings - or risk becoming another cautionary tale in San Francisco’s tech ecosystem.