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Published on
October 17, 2025
5 min read
Waymo Partners with DoorDash in Phoenix Driverless Delivery Trial
In Focus
- Waymo has partnered with DoorDash in autonomous food deliveries
- Waymo and DoorDash will run trials in Phoenix area
- Robotaxi delivery service will serve 315 square miles covered by Waymo
- Autonomous robotaxi deliveries will be limited to DashMart orders
Waymo is teaming up with delivery company DoorDash to dispatch food and grocery orders. According to TechCrunch, Waymo DoorDash deliveries are set to begin in Phoenix in the coming months.
Waymo Tests Food Delivery Model
Currently, Waymo has no active operations, partnerships, or pilot programs in the delivery industry. The company unveiled the new Generation 6 driverless technology which can handle a range of weather conditions without numerous cameras and sensors onboard.
The Waymo DoorDash delivery pilot in Phoenix will enable the autonomous vehicle firm to test its food delivery model. Customers who order food and groceries will be matched with a Waymo self-driving vehicle in Phoenix. The DoorDash robotaxi delivery service will only serve the 315 square miles already covered by Waymo robotaxis.
“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,” Waymo’s Head of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships Nicole Gavel said.
Autonomous Delivery vs Human Delivery
To access the DoorDash robotaxi service, users will have to select the autonomous vehicle delivery option when checking out on DoorDash. Orders will not be placed on the customer’s doorstep.
Once a Waymo robotaxi arrives, customers will use the DoorDash app to open the trunk and take their deliveries. The fact that customers will have to walk to the car and retrieve delivered items will be a big test for the two companies.
The companies will want to know whether autonomous vehicle deliveries are more appealing than doorstep deliveries made by humans. DoorDash has been pushing global expansion this year. In May 2025, the company announced plans to acquire U.K’s delivery firm Deliveroo at a $3.9 billion valuation.
Which DoorDash Stores Will Use Waymo Delivery?
But not every order requested on DoorDash will be delivered by a self-driving vehicle. Initially, Waymo autonomous deliveries will be limited to orders from DashDoor’s convenience retail and grocery stores known as DashMart.
With time, the companies will add more Phoenix merchants and offerings to the delivery service over time.
“DashPass is designed to give consumers consistent value, convenience, and access to the best of their communities, and our partnership with Waymo builds on that promise. Together, we’re giving members access to, and savings on, a new and delightful experience, while advancing our vision for a multi-modal autonomous future of local commerce,” DoorDash VP for Business and Corporate Development David Richter said.
Waymo DoorDash Deliveries at a Glance:
- DoorDash customers will select autonomous delivery at checkout
- Customers will be matched with a Waymo robotaxi
- Companies will not make door-step deliveries
- Customers have to collect items from Waymo vehicle trunk
DoorDash Autonomous Delivery Efforts
This is not the first time DoorDash is exploring autonomous vehicle deliveries. Previously, the food delivery firm has partnered with Serve Robotics, a sidewalk delivery bot firm, to make deliveries in parts of Los Angeles.
In September 2025, the company unveiled a self-driving delivery bot called Dot which is currently being tested in the Phoenix area. The partnership with Waymo will not involve the Dot autonomous bot.
Waymo has run trials on how its autonomous driving technology could be used for delivery. Previously, the Alphabet-owned company ran pilot programs with Uber Eats and UPS, investing significant resources towards development of self-driving trucks.
Waymo closed the pilot program in 2023 to focus on autonomous driving robotaxis. In July 2025, Alphabet invested $5 billion in Waymo to enable the company to continue building its brand as a global leader in self-driving cars.
