Story perspectives

Waymo Rolls Out $20k Ojai Robotaxi, Expands Cities

5/28/2026

Summary

Waymo Expands Ojai

Waymo began offering rides in its Ojai robotaxi in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.
The Zeekr-built Ojai van carries Waymo hardware and offers a flat floor, low step, three screens, charging ports and braille aids.
Waymo’s sixth-generation driver reduces cameras to 13, costs under $20,000, and improves snow performance.
Waymo will add Denver, Las Vegas, and San Diego to Ojai service after recalling 3,791 robotaxis for a flooded-road software defect.

Summary

Waymo Bypasses Ban

Waymo imports Zeekr chassis stripped of Chinese software and installs an autonomous system at its Mesa plant to bypass the U.S. ban on Chinese vehicles.
The collaboration with Geely’s Zeekr unit and Magna International enables assembly of the Ojai minivan in Mesa, targeting tens of thousands of units annually.
The Ojai’s Swedish-engineered skateboard platform, built in China and finished in the United States, reflects the cross-border complexity of EV manufacturing.

History

Historical Context

Google started self-driving research in 2009 and spun it off as Waymo in December 2016. After early Nevada licensing in 2012 and California driver-less permits in 2018, Waymo built a fleet that has logged over 200 million autonomous miles. In 2021 Waymo began a partnership with Geely’s Zeekr and has used Magna International to assemble its vehicles, extending its cross-border manufacturing approach.

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Waymo Expands Ojai

Waymo began offering rides in its Ojai robotaxi in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.
The Zeekr-built Ojai van carries Waymo hardware and offers a flat floor, low step, three screens, charging ports and braille aids.
Waymo’s sixth-generation driver reduces cameras to 13, costs under $20,000, and improves snow performance.
Waymo will add Denver, Las Vegas, and San Diego to Ojai service after recalling 3,791 robotaxis for a flooded-road software defect.

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