Waymo to Deploy New Ojai Robotaxi to Expand Public Rides
The new purpose-built vehicle cuts sensor count by 42% and is designed to expand Waymo into snowier markets, the company said.
- On Thursday, May 28, 2026, Alphabet-owned Waymo launched free public rides in its new purpose-built Ojai robotaxi across San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.
- Designed in Sweden and built by Geely-owned Zeekr, the Ojai marks Waymo's first purpose-built robotaxi, debuting the 6th-generation Driver hardware with 13 cameras and four lidar sensors.
- The van-style vehicle prioritizes accessibility with a flat floor, low step-in height, and Braille markings; Waymo spokesperson Sandy Karp said the Ojai features an "expansive cabin" with increased legroom.
- Waymo is offering free rides to gather user feedback before introducing fares, while awaiting California Public Utilities Commission approval to charge for California trips; the Arizona factory scales toward tens of thousands of units annually.
- The company plans to introduce Hyundai Ioniq 5 models later this year and expand into cities like Chicago, with international service launching in London and Tokyo.
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Waymo’s new Ojai robotaxi looks like it was made for the future, and it’s got a brain upgrade, too
Waymo’s Ojai robotaxi blends futuristic design with a strong focus on accessibility and next-gen autonomy. Early riders are about to get a taste, while a much bigger rollout is already taking shape.
Waymo touts ‘elevator-like’ doors, ‘living room’ feel on new vehicles
Autonomous robotaxi company Waymo just announced a fleet of new vehicles — the Ojai — that it describes as roomier and more accessible than its typical Jaguar I-PACE cars.The self-driving Ojai offers “elevator-like doors,” low steps, flat floors, and a seat-integrated handle, features the Google-owned company says make it easier for riders to get in and out of the vehicle. Waymo describes the space inside the Ojai as a "living room on wheels." T…
Waymo opens cheaper Ojai robotaxi built by China's Geely
Waymo has started offering rides to select passengers in its new Ojai robotaxi, the first vehicle purpose-built for autonomous ride-hailing rather than retrofitted from an existing car. The Ojai runs on Waymo’s sixth-generation Driver system and is built on a platform manufactured by Zeekr, the electric vehicle brand owned by China’s Geely, the same conglomerate that […] This story continues at The Next Web
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