Waymo is asking DoorDash drivers to shut the doors of its self-driving cars

Source: TechCrunch

Overview

Waymo’s autonomous cars are now transporting passengers across six cities, but a seemingly small issue can render a vehicle inert: a passenger leaving a door open.

According to a Reddit post, a DoorDash driver received an odd request in their queue. Instead of a food delivery, the driver was offered $6.25 to drive less than a mile to a Waymo vehicle and close its door. After “verified completion,” they would receive an additional $5.

“You actually ‘door’ dashed,” one commenter noted.

Image credit: Reddit

Waymo, the Alphabet‑owned company that recently raised $16 billion to expand its robotaxi fleet internationally, confirmed the legitimacy of the Reddit post.

Waymo’s pilot program with DoorDash

Waymo and DoorDash issued a joint statement:

“Waymo is currently running a pilot program in Atlanta to enhance its AV fleet efficiency. In the rare event a vehicle door is left ajar, preventing the car from departing, nearby Dashers are notified, allowing Waymo to get its vehicles back on the road quickly.”

The partnership, which began earlier this year, is part of a broader collaboration that also includes an autonomous delivery service launched in Phoenix, where Waymo vehicles deliver food and groceries to DoorDash customers.

Leaving a Waymo door open immobilizes the vehicle, preventing it from completing rides and potentially blocking traffic. Paying a nearby gig worker to close the door is therefore a cost‑effective solution for Waymo.

Earlier door‑closing collaborations

Waymo has previously enlisted help from other gig‑economy platforms. In Los Angeles, the company works with Honk—an app that functions like Uber for towing services. Reports indicate that Honk users in L.A. have been offered up to $24 to close a Waymo door, more than double the amount paid to DoorDash drivers in Atlanta.

Waymo has announced that future vehicle models will feature automated door closures, but for now, gig workers remain the most practical solution.