Waymo has partnered with DoorDash to solve an unexpected problem: passengers leaving robotaxi doors open. When a Waymo vehicle detects an open door, the company now sends nearby DoorDash delivery drivers to close it for $11.25 per job. This pilot program aims to keep Waymo's autonomous fleet moving efficiently when human passengers fail to complete basic tasks.

Waymo leads the autonomous vehicle industry with commercial operations in six American cities and plans to expand to a dozen more plus London. The company recently unveiled its sixth-generation Waymo Driver technology, featuring upgraded cameras, lidar, and radar for better night and weather performance. The new Zeekr-based Ojai minivans will join existing fleets of Jaguar I-Paces and Hyundai Ioniq 5s, with sliding doors that are easier to automate.

Despite sophisticated sensors and processing power, robotaxis still struggle with simple human interactions. This DoorDash partnership reveals that even cutting-edge autonomous technology requires human assistance for basic operations. As Waymo continues testing the Ojai minivans in Los Angeles and San Francisco, the collaboration highlights both the progress and limitations of current self-driving technology.