Waymo Launches Next-Generation Ojai Robotaxis for Public Riders in Three US Cities

Waymo has officially made its next-generation autonomous vehicle, named the Ojai, available to all public riders across Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco. Designed to lower manufacturing, maintenance, and operational expenses, the rollout represents a strategic step forward for the Alphabet-owned autonomous driving company as it pursues commercial scalability.

What Happened

Passengers hailing a ride through Waymo in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco can now be matched with the new Ojai robotaxi. The company stated that once a sufficient volume of Ojais enters service, riders will have the explicit option to select between the new vehicle and Waymo’s existing Jaguar I-Pace models. According to a Waymo spokesperson, roughly 300 Ojai vehicles are currently active in the commercial fleet, with introductions planned for Denver, Las Vegas, and San Diego later this year.

Key Highlights

• City Availability: The Ojai is open to all passengers in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, expanding beyond the earlier Jaguar I-Pace deployments.
• Hardware Platform: The vehicle is an electric minivan developed by Zeekr, a brand under China’s Geely Holding Group, built on Zeekr’s SEA-M platform.
• Domestic Assembly: Base vehicles arrive in the United States without Chinese connected-car technology and are sent to Waymo’s facility in Arizona for integration with autonomous systems.
• Sixth-Generation System: The Ojai features Waymo’s modular sixth-generation self-driving hardware, an updated rider interface, and Google’s Gemini AI serving as an in-cabin assistant.
• Fleet Expansion Targets: Research firm MoffettNathanson reported that Waymo is tracking to import 5,000 Ojai vans by the end of 2026, which would more than double its current Jaguar I-Pace fleet.

Why This Matters

For years, Waymo relied on modified Jaguar I-Pace electric hatchbacks across 11 U.S. cities, but the model functioned primarily as an interim vehicle on the path to long-term profitability. The Ojai, built specifically for heavy passenger turnover and lower operating overhead, serves as the cornerstone for Waymo’s mass-scale operations. However, because the vehicles originate in China, they are subject to steep United States import tariffs, which add financial pressure to the delivery pipeline despite the vehicle’s inherently lower production design costs.

What to Watch Next

Waymo plans to launch the Ojai in three additional markets—Denver, Las Vegas, and San Diego—before the conclusion of the year. Industry watchers will also monitor delivery volumes through U.S. ports, following MoffettNathanson data showing that 725 units arrived in July alone toward the projected 5,000-vehicle target by late 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Waymo Ojai?

The Ojai is Waymo’s next-generation autonomous vehicle. It is an all-electric minivan manufactured by Zeekr and outfitted with Waymo’s sixth-generation autonomous driving technology.

Where can passengers currently ride in the Ojai?

The Ojai is now serving all riders in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, with plans to expand to Denver, Las Vegas, and San Diego later this year.

Can riders specifically choose to ride in an Ojai?

At present, passengers may be randomly matched with an Ojai when booking a ride. Waymo plans to let riders deliberately choose between the Ojai and the Jaguar I-Pace once fleet numbers are sufficiently high.

What in-cabin technology does the Ojai include?

The vehicle features a newly designed passenger interface and incorporates Google’s Gemini AI to assist passengers during their trips.

Source: Reporting based on operational details and fleet data published by TechCrunch.