Waymo has expanded access to its next-generation robotaxi, the Waymo Ojai, making it available to all riders in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco. The Ojai, designed to be more affordable to build, operate, and maintain, represents a key step in Waymo's strategy to scale its autonomous ride-hailing fleet and improve profitability. Currently, the Ojai is being gradually integrated with about 300 units active, with plans to offer riders the choice between the Ojai and the older Jaguar I-Pace robotaxi as the fleet grows.

The Ojai robotaxi is powered by Waymo’s sixth-generation self-driving system, which is modular and adaptable to various vehicle models. It also features an updated user interface combined with Google’s Gemini AI, providing an interactive in-car assistant for passengers. Behind its advanced technology, the Ojai is essentially a Zeekr minivan, built on the SEA-M platform from the Chinese automaker Geely’s subsidiary Zeekr, focusing on durability and cost-efficiency for continuous use as a robotaxi.

Waymo began its partnership with Zeekr in 2021, with the vehicles imported from China and then equipped with Waymo’s autonomous technology at its Arizona facility. However, the use of Chinese-made vehicles comes with challenges such as additional import tariffs, which increase the company's costs per unit. Even so, the Ojai was designed to meet the demands of mass-market robotaxi services by balancing accessibility, affordability, and robustness.

Looking ahead, Waymo aims to expand the Ojai’s presence into more cities including Denver, Las Vegas, and San Diego later in 2026. According to research by MoffettNathanson, a New York-based firm monitoring Ojai shipments, Waymo plans to bring approximately 5,000 of these robotaxis to the U.S. by the end of this year alone, potentially doubling the size of its existing Jaguar I-Pace fleet. This aggressive scaling signals Waymo’s commitment to becoming a dominant player in autonomous ride-hailing.