Waymo has opened its next-generation robotaxi to all riders in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco — a notable milestone for the Alphabet company as it pushes to expand its fleet with vehicles that are cheaper to build, operate, and maintain.
For now, customers in these markets may be matched with the new robotaxi, called the Ojai (pronounced oh-hi) when they hail a ride. Once Waymo has enough Ojais in its fleet, riders will be able to choose between the new vehicle and the older Jaguar I-Pace robotaxi. Waymo has about 300 Ojai robotaxis in its commercial fleet today, according to a company spokesperson.
The company said Wednesday that it plans to roll out the Ojai in Denver, Las Vegas, and San Diego later this year.
For years, Waymo 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 autonomous hatchback has become ubiquitous in markets such as San Francisco, it has been more of a stopgap in Waymo’s longer-term push toward mass scale, and eventually, profitability.
The Waymo Ojai robotaxi is meant to deliver on that ambition. The Ojai is equipped with Waymo’s sixth-generation self-driving system, which is critical to the company’s commercial strategy because it’s modular and designed to work across multiple vehicles types. The robotaxi also comes with a redesigned user interface and Google’s Gemini AI, which acts as an in-car assistant for riders.
Strip away that technology, though, and the Ojai is a minivan made by Zeekr, a brand owned by China’s Geely Holding Group. Waymo partnered with Zeekr in 2021 and has spent years testing a prototype, and later a production-intent version of the vehicle. It’s built on Zeekr’s SEA-M platform, an updated version of the automaker’s “Sustainable Experience Architecture,” which the company designed for vehicles like robotaxis and delivery vans. The goal was to create a robotaxi that was attractive and easy for riders to access, but also cheap to build and maintain and durable enough to withstand near-constant use.
The Ojai delivers on many of those goals, though tariffs on the imported vehicles have added cost. Under current U.S. trade policy, vehicles built in China face steep import tariffs, which raises Waymo’s costs for every Ojai it brings into the country. The base Zeekr vehicles ship without any Chinese connected-car technology on board. After arriving in the U.S., they’re sent to Waymo’s Arizona factory, where they are outfitted with the self-driving system.
New York-based research firm MoffettNathanson, which tracks Ojai imports by examining detailed receipts of shipped goods, said Waymo is on pace to bring 5,000 Ojai vehicles to the United States by the end of 2026. That would be 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.
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Key Takeaways
- Next-Gen Rollout:Waymo’s new Ojai robotaxi is now available to all riders in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco, signaling a major push towards scalable and profitable autonomous services.
- Engineered for Efficiency:Built on Zeekr’s SEA-M platform and powered by Waymo’s 6th-gen self-driving system and Google Gemini AI, the Ojai prioritizes cost-effectiveness, durability, and a enhanced rider experience.
- Aggressive Expansion:Despite challenges like import tariffs, Waymo is rapidly scaling its Ojai fleet, with projections of surpassing 5,000 vehicles in the U.S. by 2026, significantly expanding its operational footprint.
Waymo Unleashes Ojai: The Next-Gen Robotaxi Driving Towards Mass Adoption
Waymo, Alphabet’s pioneering autonomous driving subsidiary, has officially opened its highly anticipated, next-generation robotaxi, the Ojai (pronounced “oh-hi”), to all riders across its key operational hubs: Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco. This significant rollout represents a pivotal moment for the company, as it strategically shifts towards a fleet designed from the ground up to be more cost-effective to build, operate, and maintain, directly addressing the long-term goal of mass scale and, crucially, profitability in the nascent robotaxi market.
From Stopgap to Scalability: The Ojai’s Strategic Imperative
For years, Waymo’s commercial operations have largely relied on a modified, all-electric Jaguar I-Pace. While the distinctive white, sensor-laden hatchback has become an iconic sight in cities like San Francisco, it was always understood to be a transitional solution. Operating in 11 U.S. cities, the Jaguar fleet served as an invaluable testing ground and market entry point, but it was not engineered for the high-volume, low-cost operational model essential for Waymo’s grander ambitions.
The Waymo Ojai robotaxi emerges as the direct answer to this strategic challenge. It embodies Waymo’s long-term vision for autonomous mobility, meticulously designed to unlock the efficiencies necessary for widespread commercial deployment. The Ojai is equipped with Waymo’s advanced sixth-generation self-driving system, a critical technological leap. What makes this system particularly strategic is its modular design, allowing it to be adapted across various vehicle types, future-proofing Waymo’s hardware integrations. Beyond the autonomous core, the Ojai elevates the passenger experience with a redesigned user interface and integrates Google’s Gemini AI, functioning as an intuitive in-car assistant for riders, promising a smoother, more interactive journey.
Engineering for the Future: Design, Technology, and User Experience
At its core, the Ojai is a purpose-built minivan, the result of a strategic partnership forged in 2021 between Waymo and Zeekr, a premium electric mobility brand under China’s Geely Holding Group. Years of rigorous testing, from prototypes to production-intent versions, have culminated in a vehicle built on Zeekr’s SEA-M platform. This “Sustainable Experience Architecture” is a testament to forward-thinking design, specifically optimized for autonomous applications like robotaxis and urban delivery vans. The foundational goal for the Ojai was clear: create a vehicle that is not only attractive and easy for riders to access but also exceptionally cheap to build and maintain, and robust enough to endure the relentless demands of near-constant commercial use.
The Ojai’s interior, informed by a redesigned user interface, promises a more intuitive and comfortable experience. Passengers will benefit from the integration of Google’s Gemini AI, transforming the ride into a more connected and supportive environment. This in-car assistant can respond to queries, provide information, or even adjust cabin settings, making the autonomous journey feel less impersonal and more tailored to individual needs.
Accelerated Rollout: Expanding Waymo’s Footprint
Currently, riders hailing a Waymo in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco may be matched with an Ojai. As Waymo rapidly expands its fleet, the company anticipates offering riders the option to specifically choose between the new Ojai and the existing Jaguar I-Pace robotaxi. With approximately 300 Ojai robotaxis already integrated into its commercial fleet, the pace of deployment is evident. Looking ahead, Waymo has confirmed plans to introduce the Ojai to additional markets later this year, including Denver, Las Vegas, and San Diego, further broadening its operational reach across the U.S.
Navigating Challenges: Tariffs and the Supply Chain
While the Ojai represents a significant leap forward, its journey to market is not without its complexities, primarily stemming from global trade policies. Vehicles built in China, including the Zeekr-produced Ojai, are subject to steep import tariffs under current U.S. trade policy. This adds a substantial cost burden for Waymo for every Ojai vehicle brought into the country. To mitigate concerns and comply with regulations, the base Zeekr vehicles are shipped without any Chinese connected-car technology onboard. Upon arrival in the U.S., these vehicles are transported to Waymo’s specialized factory in Arizona, where they are meticulously outfitted with the proprietary self-driving system and other Waymo-specific technologies.
Projected Scale: Doubling Down on Autonomy
The ambition behind the Ojai launch is underscored by impressive projections regarding fleet expansion. MoffettNathanson, a New York-based research firm renowned for tracking detailed shipping receipts, estimates that Waymo is on track to import 5,000 Ojai vehicles into the United States by the end of 2026. This aggressive timeline would see Waymo more than double its current Jaguar fleet, signaling an unprecedented commitment to scaling its robotaxi services. The sheer momentum is already visible; in July alone, 725 Ojai vehicles entered the country, providing tangible evidence of Waymo’s rapid expansion efforts and its determination to solidify its leadership in the autonomous ride-hailing sector.
Bottom Line
The widespread deployment of the Waymo Ojai marks a critical inflection point for the company and the broader autonomous vehicle industry. Moving beyond experimental phases and stopgap solutions, Waymo is now fully committed to a purpose-built, cost-optimized robotaxi designed for the realities of commercial scale and sustained profitability. While navigating geopolitical trade challenges, Waymo’s aggressive fleet expansion signals a confident stride towards a future where autonomous mobility is not just a technological marvel, but an everyday reality, reshaping urban transportation and cementing Waymo’s position at the forefront of this revolution.