The Autonomy Paradox Why Waymo Still Needs Humans for the Simplest Tasks.
Despite being a pioneer in autonomous driving, Waymo is facing a surprisingly low-tech challenge: the car door. While its AI can navigate complex city streets with ease, it is currently helpless against a passenger who fails to close the door properly or leaves it wide open upon exiting.
The "General-Purpose" Hardware Hurdle
The root of the problem lies in Waymo’s current fleet the Jaguar I-Pace. Since these are modified production vehicles rather than custom-built autonomous pods, the doors are designed for human operation. Without an automatic closing mechanism, an open door renders the vehicle "out of service," as the sensors cannot safely initiate the next trip until the car is fully secured.
The Human "Hotfix": DoorDash and Roadside Assistance
In a move that highlights the current gaps in automation, Waymo has implemented a temporary "human-powered" solution. The company has reportedly partnered with DoorDash couriers, paying them to swing by and close the doors of stranded Waymos in their area. For more complex issues or routine maintenance, Waymo also utilizes roadside assistance companies like Honk to ensure their fleet remains operational.
Waymo is aware of the limitations of the Jaguar I-Pace. They are currently accelerating testing of a new vehicle developed in collaboration with ZEEKR (from Geely), designed specifically as a robotic axi. This model will feature fully computer-controlled sliding doors, eliminating the problem of doors not closing properly and saving space during pick-up and drop-off.
The problem of doors remaining open isn't just a mechanical issue; it's also a matter of safety and revenue. When the doors are open, the vehicle cannot move, increasing the risk of theft or being taken in by homeless people. Using DoorDash drivers is therefore the "cheapest and fastest" solution in the gig economy (Gig Economy Synergy).
Statistics show that passengers often forget to close their doors due to habit from using typical ride-hailing apps where the driver sometimes handles it, or they think, "It's a smart car, it can close itself." This is an example of a real-world user interface (UI) that hasn't kept pace with software technology.
Outsourcing the process reflects the principle that "The Last 1% of Automation is the Hardest," because sending Waymo's own team to handle every issue is prohibitively costly. Distributing tasks to those closest to the scene is therefore an attractive fleet management strategy.
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Source: Autoblog
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