Waymo Hires DoorDash Drivers to Close Driverless Car Doors

The autonomous vehicle company is paying gig workers to help keep its fleet operational.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company owned by Alphabet, has partnered with food delivery service DoorDash to pay their drivers to close the doors on Waymo's driverless cars in Atlanta. This unusual arrangement is meant to help Waymo quickly get its vehicles back on the road when a door is left ajar, preventing the car from departing.

Why it matters

The need for Waymo to rely on human gig workers to perform basic vehicle maintenance tasks highlights the challenges autonomous vehicle companies face in achieving true driverless operation. It also raises questions about the future relationship between AVs and human-powered services like food delivery.

The details

According to a joint statement from Waymo and DoorDash, the companies are running a pilot program in Atlanta where nearby DoorDash drivers are notified when a Waymo vehicle's door is left open. The drivers can then go close the door and receive $11 in compensation - $6.25 for the task plus an additional $5 bonus.

  • The pilot program between Waymo and DoorDash began in early 2026.

The players

Waymo

An autonomous vehicle company owned by Alphabet, the parent company of Google.

DoorDash

A popular food delivery service that employs gig workers to transport orders to customers.

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The takeaway

This partnership between Waymo and DoorDash highlights the ongoing challenges autonomous vehicle companies face in achieving true driverless operation, even for basic tasks like closing car doors. It also raises questions about the future relationship between AVs and human-powered services as the technology continues to evolve.