Online food delivery platform DoorDash has launched a new programme called “Tasks” to enable delivery couriers to earn money by completing certain digital assignments in addition to their delivery work.
The initiative is intended to help businesses gather real-world information from physical locations while providing couriers with an additional way to earn on a flexible schedule.
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In a statement, DoorDash said businesses often need up-to-date visibility into what is happening on the ground. This can include confirming what is on store shelves or whether a layout has changed at a specific location.
Tasks are designed to provide these insights at scale. DoorDash said examples of Tasks can include taking photos of dishes to help restaurants show menu items, photographing hotel entrances to help identify drop-off points, or assisting an autonomous vehicle.
The drivers can complete these activities between deliveries or in their own time.
DoorDash Tasks general manager Ethan Beatty said: “The goal of Tasks is to help more businesses understand what’s happening on the ground and gather new insights, all while giving Dashers a new way to earn on their own terms.
“There are more than eight million Dashers who can reach almost anywhere in the US and who want to earn flexibly beyond delivery. That’s a powerful capability to digitise the physical world.”
The company is also piloting a standalone app that will also allow DoorDash drivers to complete activities such as filming everyday tasks or recording themselves speaking in another language. This data is intended to support AI and robotics systems development.
Tasks and the new app are currently available in select locations in the US, excluding California, Colorado, New York City and Seattle.
DoorDash is also working with companies across the retail, insurance, hospitality and technology sectors to expand into more task types and additional countries over time.
Earlier this month, DoorDash announced the launch of an AI-powered pizza ordering feature designed to turn complex menus into a guided, visual selection process.
