In the rapidly evolving world of autonomous vehicles, even cutting-edge technology sometimes needs a human touch. Waymo, the Alphabet-owned self-driving car company, is facing an unexpected challenge that’s both amusing and revealing about the current state of autonomous technology.

DoorDash drivers are now being recruited to perform a surprisingly simple task: closing the doors of immobilized Waymo vehicles. In Atlanta, drivers are being offered up to $6.25 for a less-than-one-mile trip to shut a car door that’s preventing an autonomous vehicle from continuing its route.

This quirky scenario highlights the complex reality of emerging autonomous technology. Despite significant technological advancements, including Waymo recently raising $16 billion to expand its international robotaxi fleet, these vehicles can still be rendered completely inoperative by something as simple as an open door.

The door-closing partnership isn’t just a one-off occurrence. Waymo has been working with various gig economy platforms to address this issue. In Los Angeles, they’ve even collaborated with Honk, a towing service app, offering up to $24 for similar door-closing tasks.

Waymo acknowledges that future vehicle models will feature automated door closure mechanisms. However, for now, gig workers represent the most immediate and cost-effective solution to keeping their autonomous fleet moving.

This situation offers a fascinating glimpse into the transition phase of autonomous vehicle technology. It demonstrates that despite impressive technological capabilities, human intervention remains crucial in bridging current technical limitations.

The collaboration between Waymo and DoorDash extends beyond these door-closing tasks. In October, they launched an autonomous delivery service in Phoenix, where Waymo vehicles deliver food and groceries directly to DoorDash customers, showcasing the potential synergy between autonomous technology and gig economy platforms.

As autonomous vehicles continue to develop, these unexpected moments remind us that technological progress is rarely a smooth, linear journey. Sometimes, it requires a human hand, or in this case, a human to simply close a car door.