Waymo Deploys Next-Gen Ojai Robotaxis to Solidify U.S. Dominance

Waymo Deploys Next-Gen Autonomous System, Taps Geely for U.S. Robotaxi Fleet

Alphabet’s self-driving unit, Waymo, is rolling out its sixth-generation autonomous driving system, integrating it into a fleet of robotaxis built on vehicles from Chinese automaker Geely. This latest iteration of the Waymo Driver is designed for increased cost-effectiveness and enhanced performance in challenging weather conditions, signaling a strategic push to solidify its dominance in the U.S. autonomous vehicle market and expand its rider base.

The new system will initially be deployed for employee rides in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles, using Geely’s Zeekr-based Ojai vehicles. Waymo plans a phased expansion to new cities, with public access slated for later this year. This move comes as Waymo concurrently explores commercial operations internationally, with London being its first foreign market targeted for service launch.

This development places Waymo at the forefront of a rapidly evolving autonomous ride-hailing landscape. While competitors like Amazon’s Zoox and Tesla are actively testing their driverless technologies, they have yet to broadly offer fully autonomous ride-hailing services. Meanwhile, Chinese players such as Baidu’s Apollo Go and WeRide are aggressively expanding their global presence, potentially capturing significant market share in a sector projected by Goldman Sachs to exceed $25 billion by 2030.

The integration of Geely vehicles into Waymo’s U.S. fleet has drawn scrutiny from some U.S. lawmakers, who have voiced concerns regarding national security and technological competition with China. Waymo has addressed these concerns by stating that its proprietary autonomous driving technology, sensor data, and rider information will not be shared with Geely. The Chinese automaker is solely responsible for providing the base vehicles, with Waymo handling the installation and integration of its autonomous driving systems within the United States.

Beyond the Ojai, Waymo’s sixth-generation system will also be compatible with robotaxis based on the Hyundai Ioniq 5. The company’s current fleet of Jaguar I-PACE vehicles will continue to operate with the fifth-generation Waymo Driver. This approach of operating mixed fleets is not new for Waymo, which has a history of transitioning its technology across different vehicle platforms. The Ojai, characterized by its roomier interior and lower entry point, offers a distinct passenger experience compared to the existing Jaguar fleet, while maintaining a similar physical footprint.

Financially, Alphabet’s “Other Bets” segment, which encompasses Waymo, reported substantial losses in recent years, with $7.51 billion in losses in 2025, an increase from $4.44 billion in 2024. Despite these losses, Waymo recently secured a $16 billion funding round led by Alphabet, valuing the company at an impressive $126 billion.

Waymo’s current operational footprint includes Austin, the San Francisco Bay Area, Phoenix, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Miami, with plans to launch in numerous additional U.S. cities throughout 2026. The company’s strategic focus on expanding into harsher weather environments, particularly in anticipation of future service in northeastern cities, highlights the critical need for its autonomous systems to perform reliably in adverse conditions.

The sixth-generation Waymo Driver has been undergoing public road testing since its initial announcement in 2024. Key advancements include upgraded lidar and radar systems, enhancing the system’s perception capabilities. Waymo highlights that its new lidar technology benefits from significant cost reductions in the industry over the past five years, making advanced lidar more accessible.

A notable innovation is the system’s new 17-megapixel imager, described as a “breakthrough in automotive vision technology,” which enables comprehensive vehicle visibility with fewer cameras. Proprietary algorithms have been developed to boost performance in rain and snow. Crucially, the system incorporates integrated cleaning mechanisms to maintain camera clarity, addressing a common challenge for autonomous systems operating in inclement weather. This focus on robust vision performance in all conditions is central to Waymo’s strategy for scaling its operations and achieving widespread adoption of its autonomous ride-hailing services.