Story perspectives

Waymo Rolls Out Ojai, First Driverless Minivan, 100 Deployed

5/31/2026

Summary

Story summary

Waymo introduced the Ojai robotaxi, a purpose-built electric minivan that is its first vehicle designed entirely for driverless rides.
The Ojai uses sixth-generation Driver hardware, reducing sensor count by 42 % and adding low-light, rain and snow capability.
Waymo has deployed about 100 Oajis in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix with free rides for a limited group, while scaling Arizona production toward tens of thousands for future market expansion.

History

Historical Context

In January 2009 Google launched a self-driving program built on the Stanford Racing Team that had entered the 2005 and 2007 DARPA Grand Challenges. The effort was renamed Waymo in December 2016, spun out of Alphabet, and by 2024 it operated more than 3,700 robotaxis serving ten U.S. metros. Its new Ojai-based robotaxi, unveiled in 2024, continues the early goal of driverless urban fleets.

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Story summary

Waymo introduced the Ojai robotaxi, a purpose-built electric minivan that is its first vehicle designed entirely for driverless rides.
The Ojai uses sixth-generation Driver hardware, reducing sensor count by 42 % and adding low-light, rain and snow capability.
Waymo has deployed about 100 Oajis in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix with free rides for a limited group, while scaling Arizona production toward tens of thousands for future market expansion.

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