Waymo’s Next-Generation Robotaxi Hits the Streets

Waymo, the self-driving car division of Alphabet, has achieved a significant milestone by opening its next-generation robotaxi to all riders in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco. This move marks a significant step forward for the company as it strives to expand its fleet with vehicles that are not only cheaper to build and maintain but also more efficient to operate.

The new robotaxi, called the Ojai (pronounced oh-hi), is a significant upgrade from the all-electric, modified Jaguar I-Pace that has been the backbone of Waymo’s robotaxi fleet for years. While the Jaguar I-Pace has been a reliable workhorse, it was always meant to be a stopgap solution in Waymo’s longer-term push toward mass scale and profitability.

The Ojai, on the other hand, is designed to deliver on that ambition. Built on Zeekr’s SEA-M platform, the Ojai is a minivan that is not only attractive and easy to access but also cheap to build and maintain and durable enough to withstand near-constant use. The vehicle 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 vehicle types.

Waymo has about 300 Ojai robotaxis in its commercial fleet today, according to a company spokesperson. Once the company has enough Ojais in its fleet, riders will be able to choose between the new vehicle and the older Jaguar I-Pace robotaxi. The Ojai is also equipped with a redesigned user interface and Google’s Gemini AI, which acts as an in-car assistant for riders.

The Ojai’s production is a significant milestone for Waymo, which has been working with Zeekr, a brand owned by China’s Geely Holding Group, since 2021. The partnership has enabled Waymo to tap into Zeekr’s expertise in designing vehicles for robotaxis and delivery vans, resulting in a vehicle that is both attractive and efficient to operate.

However, the Ojai’s production has not been without challenges. Tariffs on imported vehicles have added cost to the production process. 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. Despite this, Waymo is on pace to bring 5,000 Ojai vehicles to the United States by the end of 2026, according to research firm MoffettNathanson.

Waymo plans to roll out the Ojai in Denver, Las Vegas, and San Diego later this year, further expanding its presence in the U.S. market. With the Ojai, Waymo is poised to take a significant leap forward in its commercial strategy, delivering on its ambition to create a scalable and profitable robotaxi business.

The Ojai’s production is a testament to Waymo’s commitment to innovation and its willingness to push the boundaries of what is possible in the self-driving car space. As the company continues to expand its fleet and operations, it is clear that the Ojai will play a critical role in its success.