Waymo has spent the previous three years refining and testing a minivan-like car made by Chinese language automaker Zeekr. And now, earlier than this robotaxi joins Waymo’s official industrial fleet, it’s getting a brand new title, the corporate instructed TechCrunch.
The Zeekr RT robotaxi will now be named Ojai (pronounced “oh-hi”) — after the village within the Topatopa Mountains above Los Angeles that’s recognized for its arts group and give attention to wellness.
Waymo’s official rationalization, per spokesperson Chris Bonelli, is that the corporate decided the U.S. public isn’t conversant in the Zeekr model. That branding could even carry via to the rider expertise. Apparently, when prospects ultimately get into the Ojai, the robotaxi will greet them with an “Oh hello” and their title. Cute.
In fact, within the U.S. it won’t harm to ditch the title of a Chinese language automaker both.
For these unfamiliar, Waymo first struck a partnership with Geely Holding Group-owned Zeekr in 2021. Waymo confirmed off an idea of a purpose-built robotaxi the next yr at a splashy occasion in Los Angeles. The prototype was primarily based on a model of Zeekr’s SEA-M structure designed for “future mobility merchandise” like robotaxis and logistics automobiles.
Notably, the prototype didn’t have a steering wheel. However the Ojai one, which was proven off at CES 2026, does.
The Zeekr RT (now Ojai) has gone via some fine-tuning through the years because it has gone via growth and testing in cities like Phoenix and San Francisco. Final yr at CES, Waymo gave the robotaxi the now-retired title of Zeekr RT and showcased a few of its {hardware}, together with 13 cameras, 4 lidar, six radar, an array of exterior audio receivers, and the tiniest sensor wipers you’ve ever seen.
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That {hardware} suite is identical. However the paint shade has been tweaked, in keeping with the corporate. Waymo instructed TechCrunch the paint shade, which had a blueish tint, is now extra silver.
All of those ultimate tweaks have occurred forward of Ojai’s imminent launch into industrial service. Waymo workers, and their household and mates, at the moment are in a position to hail the Zeekr van in San Francisco and Phoenix — sometimes one of many final steps earlier than it turns into accessible to the general public.
Waymo is within the midst of a fast growth. The corporate, which presents a industrial robotaxi service in Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco, plans to launch in a dozen extra cities over the subsequent yr. These cities embrace Denver, Las Vegas, and London.