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Drivers Paid $5 to Load DoorDash Robots
3 Aug
Summary
- DoorDash drivers receive about $5 to load restaurant orders into autonomous robots.
- The Dot robots, though autonomous, require human assistance for cargo handling.
- This pilot program aims to support busy merchants and create new Dasher opportunities.
DoorDash is implementing a pilot program where drivers are offered approximately $5 to load restaurant orders into its autonomous Dot robots. These robots, unveiled in September 2025, can navigate at speeds up to 20 mph using lidar, radar, and cameras. However, they still require human operators to place orders inside.
Drivers like Devena Bybee in Mesa, Arizona, have reported receiving these offers, which involve picking up orders and documenting the loading process. A DoorDash spokesperson stated this limited pilot supports merchants during busy periods and creates new earning opportunities for Dashers, potentially offering a cheaper alternative to outsourcing the task.
This development follows DoorDash's recent FAA approval for its drone delivery service, DoorDash Air. The company acknowledges that while building the aircraft is one challenge, establishing the necessary ground infrastructure for drone delivery is a more complex problem. DoorDash emphasized that human drivers remain crucial and will continue to handle the majority of deliveries as autonomous technology expands.
