DoorDash Teams Up With Waymo for Driverless Deliveries

DoorDash DASH is giving no driver delivery a real-world spin. Customers in Metro Phoenix can now get their orders delivered by a Waymo GOOG autonomous vehicle, thanks to a new partnership between the two companies.

The test phase is already running, with plans to expand commercial operations later this year. The idea is simple: fewer drivers, lower costs, and a better shot at staying ahead of Uber Eats UBER, which continues to nip at DoorDash's heels in the food delivery market.

Here's how it works. Customers can order from DashMart's convenience and grocery stores, and choose whether their delivery comes via a Dasher, drone, robot, or one of Waymo's sleek self-driving Jaguars. When the vehicle arrives, customers unlock the trunk through the DoorDash app to grab their order.

It's a bold step that could help DoorDash trim expensesbut it may take time for people to adjust. Merchants now have to load cars instead of handing bags to a Dasher, and customers have to meet the car curbside. Still, investors seem intrigued: DoorDash shares rose over 3%, while Uber slipped 0.5%.