Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service with Introduction of Ojai in Major U.S. Cities

Waymo has officially opened its next-generation robotaxi service, the Ojai, to all riders in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco, marking a significant milestone for the Alphabet-owned company. This expansion is part of Waymo’s strategy to enhance its fleet with vehicles that are more cost-effective to build, operate, and maintain.

Customers in these locations may soon find themselves matched with the Ojai (pronounced oh-hi) when they request a ride. As Waymo increases its fleet, riders will eventually have the option to choose between the Ojai and the older Jaguar I-Pace robotaxi, with around 300 Ojai vehicles currently in operation according to a company representative.

On Wednesday, Waymo announced plans to introduce the Ojai in additional markets, including Denver, Las Vegas, and San Diego, by the end of this year.

Historically, Waymo has utilized the all-electric, modified Jaguar I-Pace across 11 U.S. cities. While this model has become a familiar sight in urban centers like San Francisco, it serves primarily as a transitional vehicle in Waymo’s long-term ambition to scale and achieve profitability.

The Ojai is designed to support this goal, featuring Waymo’s sixth-generation self-driving system, which is crucial for the company’s commercial strategy due to its modular capabilities that allow it to function across different vehicle types. Additionally, the Ojai offers a redesigned user interface and is equipped with Google’s Gemini AI, functioning as an in-car assistant for passengers.

At its core, the Ojai is a minivan manufactured by Zeekr, a brand owned by China’s Geely Holding Group. Waymo has partnered with Zeekr since 2021 and has conducted extensive testing on prototypes and production-intent versions of the vehicle. The Ojai is constructed on Zeekr’s SEA-M platform, an updated version of their “Sustainable Experience Architecture,” designed specifically for robotaxis and delivery vans. The aim was to develop a robotaxi that is both user-friendly and economically viable, ensuring durability for frequent use.

Despite meeting many of these design objectives, imported vehicles like the Ojai face additional costs due to tariffs under current U.S. trade policy. As a result, Waymo incurs higher expenses for each Ojai brought into the country. The basic Zeekr vehicles arrive without any Chinese connected-car technology and are subsequently sent to Waymo’s factory in Arizona for the installation of the self-driving systems.

According to MoffettNathanson, a New York-based research firm, Waymo is on course to import 5,000 Ojai vehicles to the U.S. by the end of 2026, more than doubling the size of its current Jaguar fleet. Notably, 725 Ojai vehicles entered the U.S. in July alone, reflecting the significant momentum of Waymo’s expansion efforts.