A Waymo autonomous vehicle entered a drive-thru restaurant in the wrong direction while carrying a passenger in Los Angeles on Friday, according to reports of the incident.

The self-driving car, operated by Waymo, the autonomous vehicle division of Alphabet Inc., apparently deviated from normal driving protocols when it approached the drive-thru entrance against the intended traffic flow. The incident left the passenger facing an unexpected situation as the vehicle positioned itself incorrectly at the restaurant's drive-thru lane.

Waymo vehicles use a combination of sensors, cameras, and mapping technology to navigate roads and follow traffic patterns. The company has been testing and operating its autonomous ride-hailing service in several cities, including parts of Los Angeles, as it works to expand its commercial operations.

The incident highlights ongoing challenges facing autonomous vehicle companies as they work to program their systems to handle complex real-world driving scenarios, including interactions with commercial establishments like drive-thru restaurants. Such situations require vehicles to recognize and follow specific traffic patterns that may differ from standard roadway rules.

Waymo has not immediately responded to requests for comment about the specific incident or what may have caused the navigation error.