Some Waymo riders are so lazy that gig workers are getting paid $24 to close the door for them

Fortune

by Catherina Gioino

February 25, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Waymo, the leader in autonomous vehicle technology, has encountered an unusual challenge: some of its riders are leaving car doors open due to laziness or oversight. To address this, Waymo has partnered with gig economy platforms like DoorDash and Honk, offering drivers up to $24 to close the doors of its robotaxis. This innovative collaboration highlights a unique microeconomy emerging for gig workers, who can earn significant earnings by performing this specific task. The partnership underscores the unexpected hurdles in implementing fully autonomous vehicles, where human intervention is still required for tasks like door closure. The initiative began when Waymo noticed that unattended open doors were causing issues for its fleet. DoorDash drivers are dispatched to locations where a car’s door remains open, with incentives such as an initial $6.25 payment upon accepting the task and additional bonuses upon completion. Similarly, Honk app users in Los Angeles have reported earning up to $24 for similar tasks. This approach not only solves operational problems but also creates new opportunities in the gig economy, allowing workers to earn income by addressing specific gaps in Waymo’s service. Waymo’s expansion into 10 U.S. cities, including San Francisco and Austin, has brought attention to other challenges, such as power outages affecting autonomous vehicles during emergencies. In one instance, a San Francisco outage left many Waymo cars immobilized, requiring towing services. This incident revealed the limitations of autonomous technology in handling unexpected environmental stressors, leading Waymo to focus on improving its response mechanisms for such scenarios. Waymo’s partnership with DoorDash also extends to autonomous delivery services in Phoenix, where customers receive their orders via Waymo vehicles. These collaborations demonstrate the company’s commitment to advancing a multi-modal autonomous future, aiming to integrate autonomous technology into various aspects of local commerce. By combining automation with human assistance, Waymo is navigating the complexities of real-world challenges while pushing the boundaries of autonomous technology. This situation matters for businesses interested in the future of mobility and autonomous technology. While autonomous vehicles promise efficiency and convenience, they also highlight the

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Originally published on Fortune on 2/25/2026