A multi-billion-dollar robotics start-up left a San Francisco Airbnb in disarray after testing a prototype robot inside, according to a lawsuit filed in San Francisco County Superior Court. The suit seeks more than $12,000 in damages, alleging that The Bot Company, also known as Botco, booked the owner's rental home under false pretenses for a two-week stay in April.
Allegations of Unauthorized Activity
The company, reportedly valued at $2 billion last year, conducted unauthorized commercial research and development activity, including robotic prototype testing and filming for commercial purposes, the lawsuit claims. More than 30 individuals accessed the property during the rental period without authorization, it continues. The defendant is accused of causing property damage, including paint damage, floor damage, damage to furniture and appliances, missing personal property, and unauthorized entry into a locked closet.
Homeowner's Account
Homeowner Sean Donovan told SFGate that the people who made the booking claimed to be remote workers from Thailand. He became suspicious when he visited the four-bedroom home in the Portola neighborhood to collect the guests' trash and saw bundles of wires running into the house. A man was allegedly sitting typing on a laptop next to a machine that Donovan likened to the cyborgs from Star Trek. Donovan noted that he had a ton of work to do when he got back, far more than ever before.
Donovan alleges that his dishwasher, refrigerator, and washing machine were all scratched, while his dishwasher racks were bent and removed. He argues that the start-up ignored readily available opportunities to rent the home for commercial filming or workplace events, for which he typically charges between $200 and $300 per hour.
Background on The Bot Company
The Bot Company aims to build robots that assist with household tasks. The firm is led by Kyle Vogt, who founded Cruise, the robotaxi company that once rivaled Waymo until a string of issues in San Francisco caused the company to temporarily lose its ability to operate in California. At least 12 other Airbnb hosts have left negative reviews about renters who were connected to Donovan's booking, according to an analysis from The San Francisco Standard.
The Independent has contacted The Bot Company for comment.
