Key Takeaways
- Waymo is offering free rides in its new robotaxi, the Ojai, to select customers in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.
- The Ojai features a new sixth-generation Waymo Driver with enhanced AI technology and fewer sensors for improved efficiency.
- Waymo plans to expand its services to colder climates and anticipates having thousands of Ojai vehicles on the road by year-end.
Waymo Launches the Ojai Robotaxi
Waymo has announced its latest robotaxi, the Ojai, which will be available for free rides to specially selected customers in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles over the coming weeks. This initiative is part of Waymo’s strategy to gather feedback on the vehicle before it enters full commercial operation.
The Ojai represents a significant advancement in Waymo’s offerings. This all-electric minivan, built on a Chinese-market model from Geely-owned Zeekr, was initially introduced as a concept at a Los Angeles event in 2022. After extensive development and testing, it now features design and functional improvements tailored specifically for self-driving taxis, unlike the retrofitted Jaguar I-Pace SUVs previously employed by Waymo.
Design elements such as elevator-style doors provide easier access, while ample space and three large screens allow riders to customize their experience. However, the most noteworthy enhancement lies beneath the vehicle’s exterior. The Ojai debuts the sixth-generation Waymo Driver, which includes a refined system of hardware and software for autonomous driving. Notably, the number of sensors has been significantly decreased, featuring 13 cameras (down from 29), four Lidars (reduced from five), and six radars, positioning the vehicle as a more efficient option thanks to advances in AI technology.
Waymo claims this new hardware configuration not only lowers costs—each stack is estimated at about $20,000—but also enhances the vehicle’s capabilities. The company is now gearing up for potential operations in colder climates, having focused primarily on warmer areas until now. Future plans include establishing services in Chicago.
The Ojai will be manufactured at Waymo’s facility in Mesa, Arizona, which has the capacity to produce tens of thousands of units annually. Ryan Powell, Waymo’s head of design, expects to have thousands of Ojais operating by the end of this year.
As of March, Waymo was facilitating half a million autonomous rides weekly across the United States. Following a successful $16 billion funding round in February, the company’s valuation currently stands at $126 billion, underscoring its position as a leader in the autonomous transport sector.
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