DoorDash is paying people to load its delivery robots. It points to a shortcoming of automation
DoorDash is employing gig workers to manually load restaurant orders into its autonomous delivery robots. This practice highlights a limitation in current automation technology, as the robots cannot yet bridge the gap between restaurant counters and the curb.
Why it matters
It illustrates the 'last-foot' problem in robotics and suggests that full automation in delivery remains a significant challenge requiring human intervention.
DoorDash is paying gig workers to load restaurant orders into its Dot robots. Bloomberg/Getty Images DoorDash's Dot delivery robot can't physically pick up restaurant orders on its own. The company is paying gig workers to cover the final feet between restaurants and the robots. DoorDash said that it's offering the loading gigs to meet demand during busy times. DoorDash's delivery robots need a hand. Some workers in areas where DoorDash is using its Dot delivery robot are receiving offers through the DoorDash app to load them up. While the vehicles can navigate miles to delivery destinations, it's the few feet between a restaurant's pickup counter and the curb outside where delivery workers intervene. Devena Bybee, a DoorDash gig worker in Mesa, Arizona, said that she received one such offer in early July. The company is using the robots to make deliveries in the Phoenix area.
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