Waymo announced it’s teaming up with DoorDash to offer autonomous delivery in metro Phoenix.
Known for its driverless robotaxis, Waymo has quietly explored how its tech could move goods as well as people. The company tested deliveries with UPS and Uber Eats, and once dabbled in autonomous trucking before shelving that project in 2023 to focus on ride-hailing.
Now it’s getting back into delivery through a multi-year collaboration with DoorDash.
Waymo and DoorDash are offering driverless food delivery. Photo Credit: Waymo
For the pilot, DoorDash customers ordering within a 315-square-mile stretch of Phoenix might get matched with a self-driving Waymo. Orders go in the trunk, and customers unlock it through the DoorDash app to grab their food.
The service will initially focus on deliveries from DashMart, DoorDash’s convenience, grocery, and retail stores. Restaurant involvement has not been announced.
“We are excited to make everyday errands easier with the Waymo Driver, offering the added peace of mind that comes with our safe and reliable technology. Through our partnership with DoorDash, we leverage our proven delivery experience to provide customers with a seamless, contact-free way to get items they need, whether it’s groceries or a quick bite,” said Nicole Gavel, head of business development and strategic partnerships at Waymo, in a statement.
The move fits into DoorDash’s ongoing strategies with automation.
At its Dash Forward event last month, DoorDash rolled out Dot, a compact, in-house–built delivery robot that can cruise along roads, bike lanes, or sidewalks. Built by DoorDash Labs, Dot can haul up to 30 pounds, hit speeds of 20 mph, and plug right into the company’s existing delivery network.
Related: DoorDash CEO Tony Xu Unveils Delivery Robot and SmartScale
The company also works with Serve Robotics for sidewalk delivery and several drone partners.
While most companies are betting on smaller delivery bots, teaming with Waymo lets DoorDash tap into an autonomous network that’s already running full force in places like Phoenix and San Francisco, where people are used to seeing those cars roll by.
