Thread by @TorontoStar

Have you met Geoffrey, the adorable pink robot with hearts for eyes that traverses downtown Toronto offering low-contact, low-cost food delivery at the tap of a smart phone?

Their driver might well be based in the Philippines — a 17-hour flight away.
thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…

The Canadian brainchild of ex-Uber engineers, Geoffrey is part of a wave of autonomous vehicle innovation that could — quite literally — change the face of the gig economy. What are the implications for workers?thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…

Workers piloting robots are paid $25/hour to local employees, according to articles last year.

But the robot's company Tiny Mile is now also recruiting in the Philippines, according to job postings, advertising a monthly salary of $320 to $400 (U.S.)

thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…

Responding to questions from the Star, Tiny Mile chief executive officer Ignacio Tartavull said the hiring constitutes a “fraction of the total team."

“Saying that globalization is ubiquitous feels like an understatement." thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…

Tartavull said Tiny Mile offers a “dream” job: workers “use the joystick we bought them and connect to the fast speed internet we paid for, and operate a robot."

But the practice is a growing dimension of precarious work, some experts say.
thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…

They are cute pink robots who bring you local food. But their drivers may well be a 17-hour flight away.

Story by @SaraMojtehedz thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…