Waymo Pays Gig Workers to Close Robotaxi Doors

The move highlights the continued need for human support in autonomous driving.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Waymo, the autonomous driving company owned by Alphabet, is paying DoorDash delivery drivers and Honk roadside assistance workers to close the doors of its robotaxis when passengers leave them open. This shows that even advanced self-driving technology still requires some human intervention to function properly.

Why it matters

Waymo's reliance on gig workers to perform simple tasks like door closures demonstrates that fully autonomous vehicles are still not a reality. The company, which is a key part of Alphabet's 'Other Bets' division, is under pressure to show progress in solving the challenges of self-driving technology.

The details

Waymo is running pilot programs in Atlanta and Los Angeles to compensate gig workers when they close the doors of Waymo's robotaxis. DoorDash drivers in Atlanta can earn an extra $6.25 plus a $5 bonus for closing an open door, while Honk workers in LA can get up to $24 for the same task. Waymo says it plans to eventually automate the door closing process, but it's unclear when that capability will be ready.

  • Waymo started its robotaxi door closing pilot with DoorDash in Atlanta in early 2026.
  • Waymo also began offering Honk workers in Los Angeles up to $24 to close robotaxi doors in early 2026.

The players

Waymo

An autonomous driving company and a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.

DoorDash

A food delivery service that Waymo is partnering with to have its drivers close robotaxi doors in Atlanta.

Honk

A roadside assistance and towing platform that Waymo is working with to have its contractors close robotaxi doors in Los Angeles.

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What’s next

Waymo plans to eventually automate the door closing process for its robotaxis, but it's unclear when that capability will be ready.

The takeaway

Waymo's reliance on gig workers to close robotaxi doors shows that fully autonomous vehicles are still not a reality, and that even advanced self-driving technology requires some human intervention to function properly.