It nonetheless looks like a technological marvel: Waymo’s autonomous automobiles are actually transporting passengers throughout six cities. Alas, this driverless future comes with its personal set of issues. These automobiles will be rendered inert if a passenger by accident leaves the door open.
In accordance with a Reddit post, one DoorDash driver found this concern when an odd request appeared of their queue. As a substitute of creating a supply, the motive force was supplied $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 automobiles symbolize 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 professional. That is, in actual fact, an actual drawback.
“Waymo is presently 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 automobiles again on the highway rapidly,” Waymo and DoorDash mentioned in a joint response. (The door-closing partnership, which started earlier this year, 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 automobiles 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 not full any extra rides if it’s left motionless. To not point out, an unmoving automobile may block the movement of 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 reviews, Honk customers in L.A. have been supplied up to $24 to shut a Waymo door — greater than double what Atlanta DoorDash drivers obtain.
The corporate famous that Waymo’s future automobiles may have automated door closures. However for now, gig staff are Waymo’s greatest guess.
