Waymo Opens Next-Generation Robotaxi to All Riders in Three Cities
Waymo has officially opened its next-generation robotaxi to all riders in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco—a major milestone for the Alphabet-owned company as it pushes to scale its fleet with vehicles that are more cost-effective to build, operate, and maintain.
Riders in these markets may now be matched with the new robotaxi, called the Ojai (pronounced “oh-hi”), when they hail a ride. Once Waymo has enough Ojai units in its fleet, riders will be able to choose between the new vehicle and the older Jaguar I-Pace robotaxi. According to a company spokesperson, Waymo currently has about 300 Ojai robotaxis in its commercial fleet.
Expansion Plans and Strategic Shift
Waymo announced Wednesday that it plans to roll out the Ojai in Denver, Las Vegas, and San Diego later this year. For years, the company has relied on the all-electric, modified Jaguar I-Pace for its robotaxi fleet, which now operates in 11 U.S. cities. While the white, sensor-laden hatchback has become a familiar sight in markets like San Francisco, it has served more as a stopgap in Waymo’s longer-term push toward mass scale and eventual profitability.
The Waymo Ojai is designed to deliver on that ambition. It is equipped with Waymo’s sixth-generation self-driving system, which is modular and compatible across multiple vehicle types—a critical element of the company’s commercial strategy. The robotaxi also features a redesigned user interface and Google’s Gemini AI, which acts as an in-car assistant for riders.
Built for Efficiency, Sourced Globally
Beneath the advanced technology, the Ojai is a minivan manufactured by Zeekr, a brand owned by China’s Geely Holding Group. Waymo partnered with Zeekr in 2021 and has spent years testing prototypes and production-intent versions. The vehicle is built on Zeekr’s SEA-M platform, an updated version of the automaker’s “Sustainable Experience Architecture,” designed specifically for vehicles like robotaxis and delivery vans. The goal was to create a robotaxi that is attractive, easy to access, and durable enough to withstand near-constant use—while also being inexpensive to build and maintain.
However, tariffs on imported vehicles have added costs. Under current U.S. trade policy, vehicles built in China face steep import tariffs, raising Waymo’s expenses for each Ojai brought into the country. The base Zeekr vehicles ship without any Chinese connected-car technology on board. After arriving in the U.S., they are sent to Waymo’s Arizona factory, where the self-driving system is installed.
Scaling Up: Import Data and Fleet Growth
New York-based research firm MoffettNathanson, which tracks Ojai imports by analyzing detailed shipping receipts, reports that Waymo is on pace to bring 5,000 Ojai vehicles to the U.S. by the end of 2026. That would more than double Waymo’s current Jaguar fleet, according to the firm. In July alone, 725 Ojai vehicles entered the country, underscoring the scale and pace of Waymo’s expansion efforts in the rapidly evolving autonomous vehicle market.
via TechCrunch