It nonetheless looks like a technological marvel: Waymo’s autonomous automobiles at the moment are transporting passengers throughout six cities. Alas, this driverless future comes with its personal set of issues. These autos will be rendered inert if a passenger unintentionally leaves the door open.
In accordance with a Reddit publish, one DoorDash driver found this problem when an odd request appeared of their queue. As a substitute of creating a supply, the motive force was provided $6.25 to drive lower than one mile to a Waymo automobile and shut its door. After “verified completion,” they might get an additional $5.
“You really ‘door’ dashed,” one commenter famous.
It appears too ironic to be actual. Waymo autos characterize technological breakthroughs that when appeared unfathomable. The Alphabet-owned firm simply raised $16 billion to take its driverless automobiles worldwide!
However Waymo and DoorDash confirmed to TechCrunch that this Reddit publish is reliable. That is, in actual fact, an actual downside.
“Waymo is at the moment working a pilot program in Atlanta to boost its AV fleet effectivity. Within the uncommon occasion a automobile door is left ajar, stopping the automobile from departing, close by Dashers are notified, permitting Waymo to get its autos again on the street rapidly,” Waymo and DoorDash mentioned in a joint response. (The door-closing partnership, which started earlier this yr, is only one side of Waymo and DoorDash’s broader relationship. In October, the businesses launched an autonomous supply service in Phoenix, the place Waymo autos ship meals and groceries to DoorDash prospects.)
If a Waymo door is left open, it’s value it to the corporate to pay somebody to shut it — the automobile can’t full any extra rides if it’s left motionless. To not point out, an unmoving automobile may block the circulate of site visitors.
Techcrunch occasion
Boston, MA
|
June 23, 2026
This isn’t the primary time Waymo has enlisted assist with its door troubles. In Los Angeles, Waymo works with Honk, an app that’s like Uber for towing companies. In accordance with stories, Honk customers in L.A. have been provided as much as $24 to shut a Waymo door — greater than double what Atlanta DoorDash drivers obtain.
The corporate famous that Waymo’s future autos may have automated door closures. However for now, gig employees are Waymo’s finest wager.