Waymo Is Asking DoorDash Drivers To Shut The Doors Of Its Self-Driving Cars

Waymo Is Asking DoorDash Drivers To Shut The Doors Of Its Self-Driving Cars

Waymo DoorDash Drivers Fix Self-Driving Car Quirk Why is Waymo paying DoorDash drivers to close car doors? Because a single ajar door can completely immobilize an autonomous vehicle. In Atlanta, the self-driving pioneer has launched a pilot program enlisting nearby delivery drivers to perform this simple task for $6.25 per trip—plus a $5 completion bonus. While it sounds almost satirical, both companies confirm the arrangement is very real, highlighting an unexpected vulnerability in today's driverless technology. Credit: Brandon Bell / Getty Images This isn't a software glitch or sensor failure. It's a deliberate safety feature: Waymo vehicles won't move with doors open to prevent accidents. But when passengers—especially those unfamiliar with autonomous ride-hailing—exit without fully closing doors, the car becomes stranded. Without a human driver onboard to notice and correct the issue, Waymo needs an external solution to keep its fleet operational. How the Door-Closing…