Waymo, the self-driving car division of Google, has begun paying gig economy workers from DoorDash and other platforms to close robotaxi doors that remain open after riders exit, CNBC reported. The initiative is part of a pilot program in Atlanta designed to address a recurring operational challenge: Waymo vehicles cannot depart autonomously when a door is left ajar.

The program came to public attention after a Reddit post highlighted a DoorDash driver in Atlanta being offered $11.25 to close a nearby Waymo door. DoorDash drivers receive notifications when autonomous vehicles in their area require human assistance, allowing the cars to return to service more quickly.

Waymo has also partnered with Honk, a roadside assistance company, paying users up to $24 in Los Angeles for the same task. In a joint statement with DoorDash, Waymo emphasized its commitment to flexible earning opportunities while noting that future vehicles are expected to feature automated door-closing systems, though no timeline has been provided.

The reliance on human intervention for such routine tasks underscores the current limits of even the most advanced autonomous vehicle technology. Despite substantial progress, certain operational elements, such as ensuring doors are fully closed, still require costly manual involvement to maintain continuous service.

Waymo is a major investment within Google’s “Other Bets” division, which targets high-impact technology applications across transportation and health. The company was valued at $126 billion in a recent financing round. However, the autonomous vehicle sector continues to face financial strain; Google reported an operating loss of $7.5 billion in Other Bets last year, including a $2.1 billion stock-based compensation charge attributed to Waymo.

Despite these challenges, Waymo continues expanding aggressively. The company currently operates fully autonomous robotaxis in six U.S. markets and announced the deployment of its next-generation vehicle this week. Additional city launches are planned for 2026 as Waymo seeks to maintain its leadership position in the domestic autonomous vehicle market.