Waymo is paying DoorDash drivers to close the doors of its self-driving vehicles when passengers accidentally leave them open. A Reddit post revealed a driver received an offer for $6.25 plus a $5 bonus to complete the task. The Alphabet subsidiary confirmed to 404Media and TechCrunch that it's running a pilot program in Atlanta to address this operational challenge.

Self-driving vehicles can't depart if doors remain open, creating efficiency problems for Waymo's fleet. The company frames the program as enhancing operational efficiency while ensuring "competitive and fair compensation" for Dashers. The initiative started earlier this year, with nearby drivers notified when a Waymo door needs closing. This represents an unusual workaround for autonomous vehicle limitations.

This collaboration builds on an existing partnership from October 2025, when Waymo became a delivery option for DoorDash customers in Phoenix. Customers must opt into autonomous delivery and retrieve orders from the vehicle's trunk. The door-closing program highlights the practical challenges facing self-driving technology, even as companies push toward full autonomy.