Waymo is paying DoorDash gig workers to close its robotaxi doors

Waymo, the self-driving car division of Alphabet, is turning to gig economy workers to address a unique challenge in its autonomous vehicle operations. When passengers exit a Waymo robotaxi and leave the door ajar, the vehicle is unable to proceed until the door is closed by a person. To tackle this issue, the company has initiated a pilot program in Atlanta, compensating DoorDash drivers for securing these doors. The partnership allows DoorDash drivers to receive notifications when a nearby Waymo vehicle has an open door, enabling them to quickly assist and ensure the vehicles can continue their journey. This initiative was highlighted after a DoorDash driver shared on Reddit that they were offered $11.25 for closing a Waymo door. In a joint statement with DoorDash, Waymo expressed its commitment to exploring innovative and flexible earning opportunities for delivery workers. The company also mentioned that future models of their robotaxis will feature automated door-closing mechanisms, although no timeline for this advancement has been disclosed. This reliance on human intervention for a basic task reflects the ongoing challenges faced by even the most sophisticated autonomous technologies. Waymo, which has been valued at $126 billion, is a key player in Alphabet's Other Bets segment. This category aims to leverage technology to tackle significant challenges across various sectors, including transportation and health tech. Despite its impressive valuation, the Other Bets segment has reported substantial financial losses, totaling $7.5 billion last year, which includes a $2.1 billion charge related to stock compensation at Waymo. Additionally, the company is partnering with another service, Honk, to employ users for the same task of closing robotaxi doors, with reports indicating payments of up to $24 for this service in Los Angeles. As Waymo continues to roll out its next-generation robotaxis, it seeks to maintain its competitive edge in the U.S. market, where it currently operates fully autonomous services in six cities, with plans for further expansion in the near future.