Waymo Enlists Delivery Drivers for a Novel Task: Shutting Car Doors

In an unexpected twist for the gig economy, Waymo is now paying DoorDash drivers to perform a simple, human task: closing the doors of its self-driving vehicles. The company confirmed this week that it is testing a new system in Atlanta. When a passenger exits a Waymo car and accidentally leaves a door open, the vehicle cannot proceed. The solution? Alert a nearby Dasher.

The driver receives a notification and can accept the job, which currently guarantees a base payment of $6.25 with an additional $5 upon completion. Waymo describes the compensation as competitive and framed the pilot as an operational necessity to keep its autonomous fleet moving efficiently.

This collaboration builds on an existing partnership. Last October, the two companies launched a service in Phoenix allowing DoorDash customers to receive their orders directly from a Waymo vehicle's trunk. The new door-closing initiative highlights a practical, if quirky, intersection between human labor and autonomous technology, where a machine's limitation creates a momentary opportunity for a person.

Source: Engadget