Alphabet-backed Waymo is expanding its autonomous vehicle fleet with two new robotaxi models set to transform the self-driving car landscape. The company showcased its latest vehicles at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, including the “Ojai,” a spacious four-seater based on Chinese EV maker Zeekr’s platform, and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 SUV.
The Ojai represents a significant branding decision by Waymo, which deliberately removed all Zeekr branding from the vehicle. Named after a small southern California city, the minivan-shaped robotaxi aims to launch for public riders by 2026 and is currently undergoing testing in several cities, including San Francisco. According to Sandy Karp, Waymo’s spokesperson, the company chose to rebrand the vehicle to build trust and familiarity with riders who may not recognize the Zeekr name. The Ojai offers “ample storage” and a spacious interior that Karp compared to “riding in first class,” with potential for a fifth seat if regulations allow removal of the steering wheel.
Both new vehicles will feature Waymo’s sixth-generation AI driver, marking a significant technological advancement. The new system includes a streamlined sensor suite with 13 cameras, four lidars, six radars, and audio receivers—a substantial reduction from the fifth-generation system’s 29 cameras, six radars, and five lidars currently used in Waymo’s Jaguar I-PACE fleet. This reduction doesn’t compromise capability; rather, it reflects advancements in sensor technology that allow for higher-density lidars with extended range and improved performance.
The sixth-generation system also features integrated sensor-cleaning mechanisms, including miniature windshield wipers and hidden spray nozzles, designed to maintain optimal performance in diverse weather conditions. The sensors are more seamlessly integrated into the vehicle design, eliminating the tiered “wedding cake” appearance of previous generations.
Waymo announced a “multi-year, strategic partnership” with Hyundai in late 2024, though no specific launch date has been provided for the IONIQ 5 robotaxi. The new vehicles will eventually replace Waymo’s aging Jaguar I-PACE fleet, as Jaguar has discontinued that model. Karp emphasized that working with multiple original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) allows Waymo to scale its fleet more effectively and adapt to various market conditions.
Key Quotes
We want people to see and recognize the same trust that they built in Waymo when they look at these vehicles. What we found is people aren’t as familiar with the Zeekr brand. So by naming it the Ojai, we’re hoping to bring some of that same brand trust and familiarity to the rider experience.
Sandy Karp, Waymo spokesperson, explained the company’s decision to rebrand the Chinese-made Zeekr vehicle. This statement reveals Waymo’s strategic focus on consumer trust and brand recognition over manufacturer partnerships, particularly important given potential concerns about Chinese technology.
Basically, we’ve taken our learnings from driving over a hundred million fully autonomous miles to inform our next generation sensor suite. So simplified, cost-effective design that’s able to scale to more cities, especially with diverse weather conditions.
Karp described how Waymo’s extensive real-world AI training data enabled the development of a more efficient sixth-generation system. This demonstrates how accumulated autonomous driving experience translates into technological improvements and cost reductions essential for commercial viability.
Once you get in, it is so spacious. I’m not the tallest person in the room, but when I sit in the Ojai, I can really lean back, relax, stick my feet out. It feels like you’re riding in first class.
Karp emphasized the passenger experience in the new Ojai robotaxi, highlighting how autonomous vehicles can prioritize comfort over traditional driver-focused design. This vision of premium, relaxing transportation represents the consumer value proposition that could drive robotaxi adoption.
Our Take
Waymo’s sixth-generation AI driver represents a critical inflection point where autonomous vehicle technology becomes both more capable and more economical. The reduction from 29 to 13 cameras while improving performance demonstrates genuine AI advancement—not just adding more sensors, but using smarter algorithms and better hardware. The sensor-cleaning mechanisms address a major criticism of autonomous vehicles: their inability to handle adverse weather. This suggests Waymo is moving beyond fair-weather testing toward true all-conditions autonomy. The Zeekr rebranding decision is particularly telling, revealing how geopolitical tensions around Chinese technology are forcing American companies to obscure supply chain origins. While pragmatic for consumer acceptance, this raises questions about long-term sustainability if U.S.-China relations deteriorate further. The 2026 timeline is ambitious but achievable, positioning Waymo to potentially dominate the robotaxi market before competitors like Tesla’s Full Self-Driving or Cruise can recover momentum.
Why This Matters
This announcement signals a major evolution in autonomous vehicle technology and the commercialization of AI-powered transportation. Waymo’s sixth-generation AI driver demonstrates how machine learning advances can deliver more capable systems with fewer physical sensors, reducing costs and improving scalability—critical factors for widespread robotaxi adoption.
The strategic rebranding of the Zeekr vehicle as “Ojai” reflects growing concerns about Chinese technology in the U.S. market and highlights the importance of consumer trust in autonomous vehicles. By partnering with both a Chinese manufacturer and South Korean Hyundai, Waymo is diversifying its supply chain while navigating geopolitical complexities.
The 2026 launch timeline positions Waymo to expand its autonomous ride-hailing services significantly, potentially disrupting traditional taxi and ride-sharing markets. With over 100 million fully autonomous miles driven, Waymo’s data advantage enables continuous AI improvements. The enhanced weather capabilities and reduced sensor costs could finally make robotaxis economically viable at scale, accelerating the transition to autonomous transportation and impacting millions of driving jobs while reshaping urban mobility.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-waymo-future-robotaxi-fleet-ojai-hyundai-zeekr-2026-1