Waymo Introduces Budget-Friendly Next-Generation Robotaxi Service for Riders in Three Cities

Waymo has unveiled its latest robotaxi model, the Ojai, making it accessible to riders in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco — a major milestone for the Alphabet company as it aims to expand its fleet with vehicles that are cheaper to produce, operate, and maintain.

Currently, customers in these cities may be matched with the new Ojai robotaxi (pronounced oh-hi) when they request a ride. As Waymo continues to grow its fleet of Ojais, riders will have the choice between this new vehicle and the older Jaguar I-Pace robotaxi. A representative from Waymo stated that there are approximately 300 Ojai robotaxis currently in service.

The company announced on Wednesday its plans to roll out the Ojai in Denver, Las Vegas, and San Diego later this year.

For several years, Waymo has relied on the modified all-electric Jaguar I-Pace for its robotaxi service, which now operates in 11 U.S. cities. While the recognizable, sensor-laden hatchback has become a familiar sight in areas like San Francisco, it has primarily served as a temporary measure in Waymo’s broader strategy to achieve mass scalability and, ultimately, profitability.

The Waymo Ojai robotaxi is designed to realize that vision. Equipped with Waymo’s sixth-generation self-driving technology, the Ojai is central to the company’s business model as it is modular and built for compatibility across different vehicle types. The robotaxi also offers an enhanced user interface and integrates Google’s Gemini AI, which serves as a personal assistant for passengers inside the vehicle.

At its heart, the Ojai is a minivan produced by Zeekr, a brand under China’s Geely Holding Group. Waymo formed a partnership with Zeekr in 2021 and has dedicated years to testing both a prototype and a production version. It is constructed on Zeekr’s SEA-M platform, an upgraded version of the automaker’s “Sustainable Experience Architecture,” designed specifically for vehicles such as robotaxis and delivery vans. The goal was to produce an attractive robotaxi that is also cost-effective to manufacture, user-friendly for riders, and durable enough to withstand frequent use.

The Ojai fulfills many of these goals, although rising tariffs on imported vehicles have amplified costs. Under current U.S. trade laws, cars made in China face substantial import tariffs, increasing Waymo’s expenses for each Ojai brought into the U.S. The base Zeekr vehicles arrive in the U.S. without any Chinese connected-car technologies. Once in the U.S., they are sent to Waymo’s facility in Arizona, where they are outfitted with the self-driving system.

Research firm MoffettNathanson, based in New York and focused on monitoring Ojai imports through detailed shipping receipts, has reported that Waymo is expected to import 5,000 Ojai vehicles to the United States by the end of 2026. This would more than double Waymo’s current Jaguar fleet, according to their analysis. In July alone, 725 Ojai vehicles were imported, emphasizing the scale and speed of Waymo’s expansion initiatives.