Security researcher Jane Manchun Wong uncovered a hidden, unreleased feature in the Waymo app, allowing her to customize the text displayed on the top LED dome of the company’s robotaxi. The feature, designed to help riders identify their vehicles, was accessed via the app on Wong’s Android phone as she waited for a Waymo car.
Wong shared her discovery on X, posting images of a Waymo Jaguar I-Pace displaying her handle, “wongmjane,” and emojis. “I hacked my Waymo into showing weird texts… pls don’t ban me or patch it @waymo lol,” she wrote. She clarified that the customization resulted from altering the app’s input for the Car ID, which lacked proper server validation, rather than tampering with the car itself.
See also: Waymo to Launch First Robotaxi Service Outside the U.S. in Tokyo, Starting 2025
I hacked my Waymo into showing weird texts like empty string, “wongmjane”, and emojis as the Car ID
pls don’t ban me or patch it @waymo lol pic.twitter.com/Cf8lvZelrr
— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) January 19, 2025
Waymo confirmed the discovery, with spokesperson Sandy Karp stating, “Jane identified an unreleased feature given her advanced Android knowledge. We have restricted access to the dome display features.” The company promptly updated the app, preventing further customization of the dome display by regular users.
See also: Waymo Robotaxi Caught in Roundabout Loop, Software Update Issued
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Introduced in 2020, the dome serves practical and marketing functions, signaling vehicle identification, yielding to pedestrians, or alerting cyclists to door openings.
While Wong’s discovery highlighted a gap in app validation, the issue was quickly addressed, ensuring the integrity of Waymo’s fleet systems.
Source: Techcrunch