Waymo Launches Next-Gen Ojai Robotaxi in Three Major Markets

The Ojai, a minivan manufactured by China’s Zeekr, represents the culmination of Waymo’s efforts to scale its business model. While the company has long relied on the Jaguar I-Pace for its operations in 11 U.S. cities, the Ojai features the sixth-generation self-driving system. This hardware is modular by design, allowing Waymo to deploy its autonomous technology across varied vehicle types more efficiently. Inside, passengers gain access to a redesigned interface and Google’s Gemini AI, which serves as an onboard digital assistant.

Expansion plans remain aggressive. Waymo intends to bring the Ojai to Denver, Las Vegas, and San Diego before the year concludes. Despite the added expense of U.S. import tariffs on Chinese-built vehicles, the company is scaling rapidly. Research firm MoffettNathanson estimates that Waymo is on track to import 5,000 Ojai units by the end of 2026. These vehicles arrive in the U.S. without connected-car software and are subsequently outfitted with Waymo’s proprietary sensor suite at a dedicated factory in Arizona. Currently, the company maintains a commercial fleet of approximately 300 Ojais, with plans to eventually allow riders to choose between the new minivans and the existing Jaguar fleet.