- Custom-designed autonomous vehicle to debut in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix
- The launch marks Waymo’s shift from retrofitted vehicles to a purpose-built robotaxi platform
Waymo has unveiled the name of its next-generation robotaxi, a custom-built autonomous vehicle developed with China’s Zeekr, as the Alphabet unit prepares to expand commercial operations and lower the cost of driverless ride-hailing.
The vehicle, called Ojai, will be deployed first in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix, becoming the first model to carry Waymo’s sixth-generation autonomous driving system, the company said on June 3.
The launch marks a significant shift for Waymo, which has historically relied on modified production vehicles, toward a purpose-built platform designed specifically for fully autonomous transportation.
Dedicated platform
Manufactured by Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle brand owned by Geely Holding Group, Ojai is built on a dedicated battery-electric platform and engineered from the outset for driverless operation.
The vehicle will operate alongside Waymo’s existing fleet of Jaguar I-PACE robotaxis, which became the backbone of the company’s all-electric fleet after Waymo completed its transition away from hybrid vehicles in 2023.
Unlike conventional passenger cars, Ojai eliminates both the steering wheel and pedals. The cabin features a face-to-face seating arrangement for up to four passengers.
The vehicle is equipped with 29 sensors, including lidar, cameras and radar, providing 360-degree environmental perception.
Ojai carries a 120-kWh battery pack with a driving range of more than 500 kilometers (310 miles).
The vehicle also supports wireless charging, enabling it to return autonomously to charging stations without human intervention.
One of the most prominent collaborations
The project represents one of the most prominent collaborations to date between Chinese and US automotive companies in the robotaxi sector.
Zeekr is responsible for vehicle engineering and manufacturing, while Waymo supplies the autonomous driving technology and ride-hailing platform.
The vehicle takes its name from Ojai, pronounced “oh, hi”, a small town in California’s Topatopa Mountains north of Los Angeles known for its arts community and wellness culture.
According to the company, vehicles may eventually greet riders with a personalized “Oh, hi” followed by their name when they enter the cabin.
Waymo said it chose a localized name rather than Zeekr RT, citing limited familiarity among US consumers with the Chinese EV brand.
The company believes the easier-to-pronounce name could help reduce adoption barriers and improve brand recognition.
Ojai is currently being tested by Waymo employees and their family members, seen as a stage typically preceding broader public deployment.
Less than $20,000 per vehicle
As the launch vehicle for Waymo’s sixth-generation autonomous driving platform, Ojai uses 42% fewer sensors than the previous generation while offering stronger overall performance.
Waymo said the complete hardware suite costs less than $20,000 per vehicle and is capable of supporting autonomous operations in cities with heavier snowfall.
For Zeekr, the project represents a major milestone in a partnership with Waymo that began in 2021. It also highlights the growing role of Chinese automotive manufacturing in the development of advanced autonomous mobility systems.
Waymo One, the company’s commercial robotaxi service, currently operates in San Francisco, Phoenix and Los Angeles and serves more than 150,000 paid trips each week.
The introduction of Ojai is expected to further reduce operating costs as Waymo works toward a goal of expanding service to more than 10 cities by 2027.
