Alphabet Inc.'s autonomous driving subsidiary, Waymo, recently made public its latest iteration of the Robotaxi minivan, called 'Ojai' (pronounced OHAAY). This redesign is a product of ongoing collaboration with Chinese automaker Zeekr, an alliance initiated in 2021 that continues to advance Waymo's autonomous vehicle technology.
The unveiling occurred at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026, where the Ojai model was showcased as the newest platform integrating Waymo's next-generation autonomous systems. The company disclosed that assembly and technological integration are taking place at its Arizona facility, signifying a deliberate focus on maintaining development within a controlled environment that supports seamless implementation of advanced components.
Currently, extensive testing is underway with the new Robotaxi across several major metropolitan areas, including the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. This geographic diversity in testing environments reflects a strategy to validate the vehicle’s operational readiness under various urban conditions and traffic patterns.
To equip the vehicle for autonomous operation, the Ojai minivan incorporates an array of sophisticated sensors. According to social media updates from technology observer Sawyer Merritt on platform X, the vehicle is outfitted with over 13 cameras, six radar units, and four LiDAR sensors. Beyond visual and distance detection, the minivan includes heaters, wipers, and sprayers designed to maintain sensor cleanliness and functionality under varying weather conditions—a critical factor for ensuring reliable autonomous performance.
Parallel to its vehicle development efforts, Waymo is undertaking an international growth initiative, with particular emphasis on the London market. The company intends to collaborate with Moove, a local fleet operations entity, to navigate the regulatory landscape vital for deploying Robotaxis at scale in the UK capital. This expansion effort demonstrates Waymo’s ambition to extend its established leadership in the U.S. autonomous ride-hailing sector to global urban centers.
Financially, Waymo is reported to be exploring a substantial funding round exceeding $10 billion, aiming for a valuation surpassing $100 billion. Despite these ambitions, Waymo currently holds a commanding position in the U.S., having completed more than 14 million paid Robotaxi rides within the last year—a testament to their operational scale and market presence.
From Zeekr’s perspective, the partnership with Waymo precedes potential ambitions to enter the U.S. automotive market. Zeekr is a subsidiary of Chinese automaker Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd., which itself possesses controlling interests across several automotive brands, notably Volvo and Polestar Automotive. Geely operates a manufacturing facility in South Carolina, which could be strategically leveraged to support Zeekr’s U.S. market introduction and production capabilities.
Investor data reveals Alphabet shows strong Momentum and Quality metrics but scores less favorably on Value assessments. Its stock price trend remains positive across short, medium, and long-term horizons. On Thursday pre-market trading, Alphabet’s Class A shares increased by 0.58% to trade at $323.86, reflecting market confidence in the company’s trajectory amid its autonomous vehicle advancements and broader technology ventures.
Looking ahead, Waymo’s Ojai Robotaxi, bolstered by its partnership with Zeekr, marks a significant evolution in autonomous mobility offerings. While the U.S. market continues to be the backbone of its operations, international prospects particularly in London, and interests from partners such as Zeekr, suggest a dynamically evolving landscape for robotaxi services.