Source of this article and featured image is TechCrunch. Description and key fact are generated by Codevision AI system.
The latest Grand Theft Auto Online expansion introduces fictional robotaxis from KnoWay, a chaotic company designed to disrupt gameplay. These vehicles, resembling Waymo’s real-world autonomous vans, feature destructive behavior like crashing through billboards and wrecking cars. The DLC, titled ‘A Safehouse in the Hills,’ launches December 10 and includes a storyline involving an AI assistant named Haviland. Rockstar Games encourages players to sabotage KnoWay’s surveillance network, reflecting real-world tensions around autonomous vehicle technology. The game’s portrayal mirrors ongoing debates about privacy and corporate control in emerging tech.
Key facts
- The ‘A Safehouse in the Hills’ DLC features KnoWay robotaxis that cause chaos in-game by crashing into objects and other vehicles.
- KnoWay’s autonomous vans are visually similar to Waymo’s real-world Chrysler Pacifica fleet used for ride-hailing.
- The DLC’s storyline involves players disrupting a fictional mass surveillance network operated by KnoWay.
- Rockstar Games’ portrayal of AI assistant ‘Haviland’ ties into broader themes of technology’s role in society.
- Real-world Waymo vehicles have faced vandalism due to privacy concerns, mirroring the game’s chaotic narrative.
