Waymo Deploys DoorDash Drivers to Address Autonomous Vehicle Door Closure Issue
Waymo's autonomous vehicle fleet, currently operational across six metropolitan areas, has encountered an operational challenge that highlights the practical complexities of deploying driverless technology at scale. The Alphabet-owned company has been forced to implement a novel solution when passengers inadvertently leave vehicle doors open, rendering the autonomous vehicles unable to continue service.
According to verified reports from DoorDash's gig economy platform, the company has initiated a pilot program that compensates delivery drivers to physically close doors on stranded autonomous vehicles. One driver documented receiving an offer of $6.25 to travel less than one mile to a Waymo vehicle location, with an additional $5 bonus upon verified task completion.
In a joint statement, Waymo and DoorDash confirmed the authenticity of this operational protocol: "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 door-closure partnership, which launched earlier this year, represents one component of a broader strategic collaboration between the two companies. In October, Waymo and DoorDash deployed an autonomous delivery service in Phoenix, where self-driving vehicles handle food and grocery deliveries to DoorDash customers.
The economic rationale for this solution is straightforward: an immobilized vehicle cannot generate revenue through subsequent rides and may create traffic flow disruptions. The cost of dispatching gig workers to resolve the issue is substantially lower than deploying dedicated fleet management personnel.
This operational challenge is not geographically isolated. In Los Angeles, Waymo has established a similar arrangement with Honk, a digital towing service platform. Reports indicate that Honk users in the Los Angeles market have received compensation up to $24 per door closure—more than double the Atlanta rate—suggesting variable pricing based on local market conditions and service availability.
Waymo has acknowledged this limitation in its current fleet architecture and confirmed that future vehicle iterations will incorporate automated door closure mechanisms. Until next-generation vehicles are deployed, the company continues to leverage gig economy infrastructure as an interim solution to maintain fleet operational efficiency.
Sources:
Reddit: DoorDash Driver Report
