Waymo opens its next-generation Ojai robotaxi to riders in three cities

Waymo has opened its next-generation Ojai robotaxi to all riders in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco. Customers in those markets may be matched with the Ojai when they hail a ride, while the company continues operating its older Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis. Once Waymo has enough Ojais in its fleet, riders will be able to choose between the new vehicle and the Jaguar I-Pace.

The Ojai is central to Waymo’s push toward mass scale and eventual profitability because it is designed to be cheaper to build, operate, and maintain. It uses Waymo’s sixth-generation self-driving system, which is modular and designed to work across multiple vehicle types. The vehicle also includes a redesigned user interface and Google’s Gemini AI as an in-car assistant for riders.

The Ojai is a minivan made by Zeekr, a brand owned by China’s Geely Holding Group, and is built on Zeekr’s SEA-M platform. Waymo partnered with Zeekr in 2021 and has tested prototype and production-intent versions of the vehicle. The stated goal was to create a robotaxi that is easy for riders to access, durable enough for near-constant use, and less expensive to build and maintain.

Waymo says it plans to roll out the Ojai in Denver, Las Vegas, and San Diego later this year. The company has about 300 Ojai robotaxis in its commercial fleet today, while its broader robotaxi fleet operates in 11 U.S. cities. Tariffs on China-built vehicles add cost, and MoffettNathanson says Waymo is on pace to bring 5,000 Ojai vehicles to the U.S. by the end of 2026, including 725 that entered the country in July.