Source of this article and featured image: TechCrunch.
Description and key facts are generated by the 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.
