Gig Workers Paid to Close Self-Driving Car Doors

Waymo, the self-driving technology company, is currently utilizing gig workers to assist with a peculiar issue: closing the doors of its robotaxis. In a pilot program initiated in Atlanta, DoorDash drivers are being paid to manually shut doors that are left open by passengers. This initiative allows Waymo vehicles to resume their service promptly while the company develops automatic door-closing features. The program aims to address an immediate operational need. Waymo has stated that future vehicles will be equipped with automatic door-closing capabilities, though a specific rollout timeline has not yet been announced. This current arrangement provides a flexible earning opportunity for gig workers. For comparison, workers in Los Angeles servicing Waymo vehicles through the roadside assistance app Honk are compensated up to $24 for the same task, significantly more than their Atlanta counterparts. This highlights a localized approach to resolving the door-closing issue.