Waymo Enlists DoorDash Drivers to Shut Self-Driving Car Doors

Autonomous vehicle company pays gig workers to close doors on stuck Waymo cars.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company owned by Alphabet, has started a pilot program in Atlanta that pays DoorDash delivery drivers to close the doors on Waymo self-driving cars that have been left ajar by passengers. This allows the vehicles to get back on the road quickly, as an open door can render the car immobile. Waymo has also used a similar program in Los Angeles, paying up to $24 through the Honk towing app to have people close Waymo car doors.

Why it matters

Waymo's self-driving cars represent a major technological advancement, but the company is still working out logistical issues like ensuring the vehicles' doors are properly closed. Relying on gig workers to quickly respond and close doors is a stopgap measure until Waymo can implement automated door closure systems in future vehicle models.

The details

According to a Reddit post, DoorDash drivers in Atlanta are being offered $6.25 to drive less than a mile to a Waymo vehicle with an open door and close it, with an additional $5 bonus upon completion. Waymo and DoorDash confirmed this program is legitimate, as an open door can prevent a Waymo car from moving and potentially block traffic. Waymo has a similar program in Los Angeles that pays up to $24 through the Honk towing app to have people close Waymo car doors.

  • Waymo and DoorDash launched the Atlanta pilot program earlier this year.
  • Waymo and DoorDash announced an autonomous delivery service partnership in Phoenix in October.

The players

Waymo

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

DoorDash

A food delivery service that has partnered with Waymo on autonomous delivery in Phoenix.

Honk

An app that connects drivers with towing services, which Waymo has used in Los Angeles to have people close open Waymo car doors.

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What’s next

Waymo noted that future vehicle models will have automated door closure systems to address this issue, reducing the need for human intervention.

The takeaway

Waymo's reliance on gig workers to quickly close open doors on its self-driving cars highlights the logistical challenges the company still faces as it works to scale its autonomous vehicle technology, even as it continues to make technological breakthroughs.