Waymo is hiring gig workers to close car doors, revealing how autonomous tech quietly relies on human labor

From AI tools to self-driving cars, new technologies regularly tout themselves as being autonomous. Yet, their companies often have to recruit us humans for help in unexpected ways.

The most recent example comes courtesy of Waymo’s self-driving cars. The Alphabet-owned company has been hiring DoorDash drivers to close vehicle doors after a passenger leaves them open, CNBC reports.

Yes, Waymo’s whole thing is driverless cars, but it needs another type of driver to show up and fix the simplest things.

The arguably embarrassing predicament came to light when an Atlanta-based DoorDash driver shared Waymo’s request on Reddit. It reportedly offered the gig worker $11.25 to close a Waymo door less than a mile away. The driver was guaranteed $6.25 with the remaining $5 sent after verified completion.

The request also showed a deadline to complete the task and clearly stated that it didn’t require pickup or delivery. 

Waymo and DoorDash have confirmed to CNBC that the companies are running a pilot program in Atlanta to get cars quickly on their way. Waymo claims that automated door closures are coming to future vehicles. 

Fast Company has reached out to Waymo and DoorDash for more information, including when Waymo will roll out automated door closures. We will update this post if we hear back. 

Atlanta is one of the limited cities where Waymo vehicles operate without a safety driver. Notably, though, riders in Atlanta call the cars through Uber, which operates UberEats, a DoorDash competitor. 

However, Waymo and DoorDash announced in October that they would be testing autonomous delivery services in Phoenix.

Waymo has also used Honk, an independent roadside assistance company, to shut doors. The Washington Post reports that users have received $24 a door in Los Angeles. 

Fleet response workers on call from abroad 

This isn’t Waymo’s first time relying on humans for support. Earlier this month, Waymo’s chief safety officer, Mauricio Peña, told senators during a hearing that the company has some fleet response workers stationed abroad.

These individuals, based in countries such as the Philippines, can provide suggestions when a vehicle is in an unusual circumstance.

Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts called this “unacceptable,” Business Insider reports. He continued: “Having people overseas influencing American vehicles is a safety issue.”