Waymo has launched its first purpose‑built robotaxi, the Ojai, in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix. The pale‑blue van, built by Zeekr and fitted with Waymo’s autonomous stack in Arizona, offers spacious rear seats, three passenger screens and charging ports, and integrates real‑time traffic data for smoother navigation. Rides are free for a limited window, giving commuters a chance to experience the new model.

Inside, the Ojai runs Waymo’s sixth‑generation driver software, which slashes sensor count from 29 cameras to 13 and trims lidar and radar units. That reduction drives the vehicle’s price below $20,000, according to reports, while maintaining safety standards required by regulators. The streamlined suite also improves performance in snow, clearing a hurdle that kept the fleet in milder climates.

Waymo now operates in 11 U.S. cities and has logged more than 20 million driverless trips, a scale no rival matches. Recent setbacks—flood‑related suspensions and a 4,000‑car recall—highlight reliability challenges, yet the Ojai’s larger cabin and lower cost could broaden adoption and set the stage for the company's planned Chicago rollout. The added capacity also appeals to families and delivery services seeking autonomous transport solutions.