Observed Signal · Feb 13, 2026 · Partnership / Pilot · Source: CNBC Technology · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Waymo Hires Gig Workers to Close Robotaxi Doors
Waymo is running a pilot in Atlanta that pays gig workers to close robotaxi doors left ajar so the autonomous vehicles can resume service. DoorDash drivers are notified when a nearby Waymo has an open door; a Reddit post showed an $11.25 offer to close a door. Waymo confirmed it also pays users of Honk, a roadside assistance provider, and has offered up to $24 in Los Angeles for the task. The company said future Waymo vehicles will have automated door closures but did not give a timeline. The report highlights Waymo's continued reliance on human intervention for some operations. Waymo is valued at $126 billion from a recent financing round and is part of Alphabet’s Other Bets, which reported an operating loss that included significant Waymo stock‑based compensation.
Operational pilot reveals continued reliance on human intervention in autonomous vehicle operations and illustrates partnerships with gig platforms; notable but not industry‑shifting for AdTech.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Waymo is running an Atlanta pilot that compensates gig workers for closing robotaxi doors left open.
- DoorDash drivers receive notifications when a nearby Waymo has an open door; a Reddit post showed an $11.25 offer for the task.
- Waymo also pays users of Honk (roadside assistance) to close doors, with offers reported up to $24 in Los Angeles.
- Waymo said future vehicles will have automated door closures but did not provide a timeline.
- Waymo was valued at $126 billion in a recent financing round; Alphabet's Other Bets reported a $7.5 billion operating loss that included a $2.1 billion Waymo stock‑based compensation charge.
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Waymo Enlists DoorDash Drivers to Close Self-Driving Car Doors
Waymo's autonomous vehicles can become immobile if a passenger leaves a door ajar. TechCrunch reports a verified pilot in Atlanta in which Waymo and DoorDash notify nearby DoorDash drivers (Dashers) to close open Waymo doors so vehicles can resume service; one reported task offered $6.25 plus a $5 verification bonus. Waymo has run similar programs in Los Angeles with Honk (offers up to $24) and launched an autonomous delivery service with DoorDash in Phoenix. Waymo said future vehicles will have automated door closures, and the company recently raised $16 billion to expand internationally.
Waymo Launches Next-Gen Robotaxis to Strengthen U.S. Dominance
Waymo has begun deploying its sixth-generation Waymo Driver in Ojai robotaxis, initially offering employee rides in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles with plans to expand to public riders later this year. The new driver uses more cost-effective components, upgraded lidar and radar, a 17-megapixel imager that reduces the number of required cameras, and new in-house algorithms and integrated cleaning systems to improve performance in rain and snow. Waymo installs its autonomous stack into base vehicles supplied by Geely/Zeekr and says it will not share its driving technology, sensor data, or rider information with the automaker. The company operates in six U.S. markets today, plans major U.S. and international expansions in 2026, reported a $16 billion funding round led by Alphabet valuing Waymo at $126 billion, and faces some U.S. political scrutiny over its use of Chinese-made vehicles.
Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service to Four New Cities
Waymo expanded its robotaxi service to "select riders" in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Orlando, bringing its U.S. footprint to 10 cities. Invitations will roll out via the Waymo app, with general availability in these markets targeted by the end of 2026. The company will deploy its fifth-generation driver system in Jaguar I-PACE vehicles in the newly launched markets; Waymo has also been testing a sixth-generation driver on Geely-built Ojai cars for employees and guests in California. Waymo reported raising a $16 billion funding round that valued the company at $126 billion and said it operates just over 3,000 autonomous vehicles. Regulators have opened investigations into Waymo vehicle behavior around schools and buses, and the company reported providing more than 400,000 paid trips per week and over 20 million lifetime trips.
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