Waymo’s cheaper, next-gen robotaxi is now open to all riders in these three cities
The rollout means that passengers in the three markets can now be paired with the Ojai, Waymo’s next‑generation autonomous minivan, instead of the older Jaguar I‑Pace. The Ojai incorporates Waymo’s sixth‑generation self‑driving stack, a redesigned rider interface and Google’s Gemini AI assistant, while the underlying chassis is a Zeekr model built on the Chinese automaker’s SEA‑M platform. After arriving in the United States, the vehicles are shipped to Waymo’s Arizona facility for sensor integration and software loading. Waymo reports roughly 300 Oajis are already in service, and it expects to add 5,000 by the close of 2026, a figure that would more than double the size of its current Jaguar fleet.
The move reflects Waymo’s shift from a “stopgap” Jaguar fleet to a purpose‑built, cost‑efficient platform that can be produced at scale. By partnering with Geely’s Zeekr, Waymo sidesteps the need to design a vehicle from scratch, leveraging an existing electric minivan architecture that can endure high‑utilization rides. However, importing the Chinese‑built chassis subjects each unit to steep U.S. tariffs, inflating the per‑vehicle cost despite the design’s intent to be cheaper. The strategy mirrors a broader industry trend where autonomous‑driving firms outsource vehicle manufacturing to established EV makers, focusing internal resources on software and data.
Looking ahead, Waymo’s ability to meet its 5,000‑vehicle target will hinge on how quickly it can absorb the tariff‑laden supply chain and scale its Arizona retrofitting operation. The upcoming expansions to Denver, Las Vegas and San Diego will test the Ojai’s performance across varied regulatory environments and traffic conditions. Observers should watch the adoption rate of the Gemini in‑car assistant, rider satisfaction metrics compared with the Jaguar, and any policy shifts that could alter import duties on Chinese‑built EVs, all of which will affect Waymo’s path to profitability.
Key Takeaways
Waymo now offers the Zeekr‑based Ojai to any rider in LA, Phoenix and San Francisco, moving beyond the Jaguar I‑Pace model.
The Ojai fleet, equipped with Waymo’s sixth‑gen software and Gemini AI, currently numbers about 300 vehicles, with a goal of 5,000 by 2026.
Import tariffs on Chinese‑built chassis raise the cost per Ojai, creating a financial head‑wind for Waymo’s scaling plan.
Expansion into three new cities later this year will provide the first real‑world test of the Ojai’s durability and the company’s ability to manage a larger, more diversified fleet.
About the Source
This analysis is based on reporting by TechCrunch. Here is a short excerpt for context:
The next-generation robotaxi, called the Waymo Ojai, is central to the company's push towards mass scale, and eventually, profitability.Read the original at TechCrunch
