On 27th October 2025, in the Mission District of San Francisco, a beloved bodega cat named KITKAT lost his life after being struck by an autonomous vehicle.

KITKAT was not just a store cat — he was a companion, a neighborhood friend, and a symbol of warmth in the community. His death was preventable.

Autonomous vehicles are designed to protect humans, but they consistently fail to detect small animals like cats, dogs, raccoons, birds, and other vulnerable beings. These blind spots are costing innocent lives every single day.

website: https://www.kitkatarmy.com/

🟥 The Problem
Autonomous and smart vehicles rely on sensors and AI models trained mostly for human-shaped obstacles.
Because of this:

Small animals are not properly recognized
Vehicles do not trigger emergency braking
The system treats animal collisions as “non-critical”
This technological gap directly contributed to the tragic loss of KITKAT.

🟩 The Solution: Mandate #KITKATMODE
We are calling for a global requirement for all autonomous and smart vehicle manufacturers to integrate an animal detection & auto-braking mode, officially known as #KITKATMODE.

#KITKATMODE Should Include:
Advanced animal recognition sensors (thermal, radar, LIDAR improvements)
Automatic emergency braking when an animal is detected
Real-time audio/visual alerts to the driver
Updated AI training datasets including common urban and rural animals
Ethical driving behavior guidelines embedded in software updates
This feature will save thousands of animals and prevent tragedies like KITKAT’s.

🟦 Why It Matters
Animals deserve protection as part of road safety
The public trusts autonomous vehicles to be safer, not blind
Smart vehicles must consider all life, not just human-shaped objects
Honoring KITKAT means preventing future losses
This is a compassionate upgrade that aligns with the future of AI-driven mobility
KITKAT’s story should not repeat—his memory must spark innovation that protects innocent lives.

🟪 What We Demand
We urge:

1) Global Transport ministries

2)Road Safety Authority

3)Automotive Safety Board

4)All global autonomous vehicle companies (Tesla, Waymo, Cruise, Zoox, Rivian, BYD, Hyundai, Mercedes, BMW, Toyota, Tata Motors, etc.)
To mandate and implement #KITKATMODE across all autonomous and smart vehicles through software updates and future manufacturing standards.

 
KITKAT’s legacy should be a safer world for animals.
Sign this petition and be part of the global movement to protect lives that cannot protect themselves.

#KITKATMODE must become a standard.