Waymo begins deploying next-gen Ojai robotaxis to extend its U.S. lead

Waymo has officially launched its sixth-generation autonomous driving technology, initiating robotaxi rides for employees in Ojai vehicles, which are based on a model from Chinese manufacturer Geely. This upgrade is designed to bolster Waymo's leadership in the U.S. market while enhancing its fleet's capabilities. The new Waymo Driver is reported to utilize more affordable components and improve performance in challenging weather conditions, marking a significant advancement over previous versions. According to Satish Jeyachandran, Waymo's Vice President of Engineering, this system will be pivotal for the company’s upcoming expansion strategy. Initially, the robotaxi service will cater to employees and their guests in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles, with plans to gradually extend to additional cities. Waymo aims to open the service to the public later this year, continuing its efforts to maintain a competitive edge in the U.S. while exploring international markets. Currently, Waymo provides fully autonomous robotaxi services in six U.S. cities and is preparing to launch operations in London. Competing companies such as Amazon's Zoox and Tesla are still in the testing phase, lacking widespread driverless ride-hailing services. In contrast, several Chinese firms, including Baidu's Apollo Go and WeRide, are rapidly expanding their international presence, posing a challenge to Waymo. Goldman Sachs estimates that the global driverless ride-hailing market could exceed $25 billion by 2030, highlighting the significant potential in this sector. However, Waymo's collaboration with a Chinese automaker has raised concerns among U.S. lawmakers about national security, with some expressing apprehension over the implications of such partnerships. Waymo has assured that it will not share any proprietary autonomous driving technology or rider data with Zeekr, the Geely subsidiary responsible for the base vehicles. The sixth-generation system will also be compatible with robotaxis built on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 platform. Meanwhile, Waymo's existing fleet of Jaguar I-PACE vehicles will continue utilizing the previous technology. The Ojai vehicle features a more spacious design compared to current models, while maintaining a similar size to the Jaguar I-PACE. As part of Alphabet's 'Other Bets' segment, Waymo reported significant financial losses in 2025, though it recently secured a $16 billion funding round led by its parent company, valuing the startup at $126 billion. Waymo currently operates its robotaxi service in Austin, the San Francisco Bay Area, Phoenix, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Miami, with plans to expand into several major cities, including Dallas and Detroit, by 2026. To navigate harsher climates, particularly in the Northeast, the new system has undergone extensive testing since its announcement in 2024. Enhancements in lidar and radar technologies have improved visibility, while new algorithms optimize performance in adverse weather conditions, ensuring reliability in various environments.