Groceries and takeout delivered by self-driving cars is coming soon. DoorDash and Waymo have just announced a partnership that will transform home delivery. Initial tests are already underway in Phoenix, and it could soon roll out across the United States.
How Does It Actually Work?
It’s dead simple. You order on DoorDash as usual, and instead of a human driver, a 100% autonomous Waymo robotaxi pulls up at your door. No driver, no tip to give.
When the car arrives, you head out with your phone and unlock the trunk directly from the DoorDash app. You grab your order and that’s it. The vehicle drives off on its own.
Small catch : unlike a delivery driver who rings your doorbell, you have to go down to the sidewalk to pick up your order. If you live on the 5th floor with no elevator, that can be a real pain.
Where and When?
It starts in Phoenix, Arizona, Waymo’s test city since 2016. The covered area spans 800 km² (roughly the size of Paris and its inner suburbs).
At first, only DashMart stores (DoorDash’s convenience stores) will be served by robot. Then it will gradually expand to restaurants and other merchants before the end of 2025.
Bonus for DashPass members : until December 31, 2025, they get $10 off per month on a Waymo ride in Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
Waymo’s autonomous Jaguar electric cars equipped with lidar sensors and charging in a staging area for robotaxi operations
Why Is This a Big Deal?
Waymo, Not Joking Around
Waymo (a Google subsidiary) has already driven over 100 million kilometers in autonomous mode and completed more than 10 million rides. Their robotaxis are already everywhere in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.
The vehicles used are 100% electric Jaguar I-PACE packed with sensors and cameras. That’s serious tech.
DoorDash Looks Further Ahead
DoorDash isn’t just betting on Waymo. The company is also developing Dot, its own delivery robot unveiled in September 2025. This small red robot can zip along at 32 km/h on roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks.
The strategy : DoorDash has built an AI platform that automatically picks the best delivery method for each order (human courier, Dot robot, drone, or Waymo). For example, if it’s a short 500m trip, a robot goes. If it’s farther, a Waymo shows up.
The Tough Questions
What Happens to the Delivery Drivers?
DoorDash insists that the majority of deliveries will still be made by humans. Robots would mainly handle short, repetitive trips.
But let’s be honest: if it works well, delivery drivers have reason to worry in the long run. Even though DoorDash compares it to ATMs, which didn’t kill banking jobs, nobody is fooled.
Is This Thing Profitable?
A Waymo robotaxi costs around $75,000 and weighs over 2 tons. Using it to deliver a pizza or a tube of toothpaste is a bit overkill. Hence the idea of Dot, the small robot, for short trips.
Will People Go for It?
Hard to say. Some will find it cool and appreciate not having to tip. Others will lose it at having to go down to the street at -10°C to pick up their burger.
And then there’s the “vandalism” factor. Waymo robotaxis have already been vandalized in some cities. DoorDash has planned internal cameras on Dot to prevent intrusions.
The Market Is Exploding
The autonomous delivery sector is on fire. The market is expected to grow from $6.57 billion in 2025 to $44.56 billion by 2034. Another study even projects $228 billion by 2035.
Competition is fierce : Uber Eats works with Serve Robotics and is testing drones, and Amazon is developing its own technology too. It’s a real race.
The Verdict
This DoorDash x Waymo partnership is the real deal. It’s not just a test, but a genuine commercial launch planned by the end of 2025. If it works in Phoenix, expect these robots to roll out to other US cities quickly.
For you, the customer : potentially faster deliveries, no tip required, available 24/7. On the downside: you have to leave your home to pick up your order.
The future of delivery is here.
