Waymo is rebranding its Zeekr robotaxi

Waymo has in fact spent the previous 3 years refining and examining a minivan-like car made by Chinese car manufacturer Zeekr. And presently, before this robotaxi signs up with Waymo’s main commercial fleet, it’s obtaining a new name, the company informed TechCrunch.

The Zeekr RT robotaxi will definitely presently be called Ojai (expressed “oh-hi”)– after the town in the Topatopa Hills over Los Angeles that is comprehended for its arts location and focus on health.

Waymo’s main description, per audio speaker Chris Bonelli, is that business determined the united state public isn’t aware of the Zeekr brand. That branding might also end up to the bicycle rider experience. Undoubtedly, when customers eventually go into the Ojai, the robotaxi will certainly invite them with an “Oh hi” and their name. Charming.

Normally, in the united state it can not harm to ditch the name of a Chinese cars and truck producer either.

For those unknown, Waymo originally struck a cooperation with Geely Holding Group-owned Zeekr in 2021 Waymo showed a concept of a purpose-built robotaxi the list below year at a splashy occasion in Los Angeles. The model was based upon a variant of Zeekr’s SEA-M design created for “future adaptability products” like robotaxis and logistics automobiles.

Particularly, the version truly did not have a directing wheel. However the Ojai one, which was presented at CES 2026, does.

The Zeekr RT (presently Ojai) has in fact experienced some fine-tuning throughout the years as it has in fact undergone development and testing in cities like Phoenix metro and San Francisco. In 2015 at CES, Waymo used the robotaxi the now-retired name of Zeekr RT and showcased a few of its devices, consisting of 13 camera, 4 lidar, 6 radar, a variety of outside sound receivers, and the tiniest noticing system wipers you have actually in the past seen.

That devices collection coincides. However the paint shade has in fact been fine-tuned, according to business. Waymo educated TechCrunch the paint color, which had a blueish color, is currently a whole lot even more silver.

Every one of these last tweaks have actually taken place before Ojai’s upcoming launch right into company solution. Waymo team member, and their loved ones, are presently able to hail the Zeekr van in San Francisco and Phoenix az city– typically among the last activities prior to it shows up to the public.

Waymo remains in the middle of a fast development. The business, which supplies a service robotaxi solution in Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix Metro, and San Francisco, intends to launch in a great deals much more cities over the following year. Those cities include Denver, Las Las Vega, and London.