ORLANDO, Fla. \u2014 As Waymo\u2019s self-driving car service becomes available by invite only in Orlando, some residents say they feel uncomfortable seeing the vehicles parked in residential neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
Mykhael Michaels showed video of Waymo self-driving cars parked in his Williamsburg neighborhood outside his home.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt just feels weird in this quiet neighborhood,\u201d he said. \u201cWe basically know what cars are supposed to be in here.\u201d<\/p>\n
While none were seen during a visit, Michaels said it has been happening for the past few months.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ll be here for about 40 minutes, and then it\u2019ll pull off,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He said he wishes they would stay off his street.<\/p>\n
\u201cFeeling like we are being watched or surveilled. It\u2019s just strange,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s not the only one concerned. In Pine Castle, Jose Sierra said Waymo vehicles have been making rounds and parking in his neighborhood since November.<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw the front is empty, but I don\u2019t know who\u2019s in the backside,\u201d he said. \u201cNervous.\u201d<\/p>\n
Waymo has a private lot for parking and released a statement saying, \u201cOur ride-hailing vehicles will occasionally use publicly available parking spaces when needed between trips to avoid unnecessarily contributing to congestion. We identify parking spaces using publicly available information and by following city curb restrictions.\u201d<\/p>\n
But some residents say there are commercial lots available.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like you should garage your cars in public lots,\u201d Michaels said. \u201cYou know, there\u2019s a Publix right up the street.\u201d<\/p>\n
An Orlando city spokesperson said there are ordinances governing where buses and taxis can park, and officials are looking into whether they can restrict parking for Waymo vehicles.<\/p>\n
In Orange County, a spokesperson said self-driving cars fall under the same rules as human-driven cars. Unless a sign prohibits parking, a vehicle can park there.<\/p>\n
Waymo said anyone can contact the company about parking concerns through its app or website.<\/p>\n
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