[JohnFen]

I can't imagine this counting as vandalism in any reasonable world. Vandalism involves actually damaging things. Coning damages nothing.

As you suggest, putting tape over cameras is closer to actual vandalism because it could leave tape residue on the lens.

[fluoridation]

Yup. If the car is not smart enough to realize that it can drive with a cone on its hood, or that it can run over mannequins that have been purposely placed in front of it, then that's no one's fault but the manufacturer's.

[oh_sigh]

Most human drivers would probably not want to run over a mannequin sized object intentionally for fear of damaging their vehicle.