Hustler Words – In a strategic maneuver poised to redefine its public-facing autonomous vehicle fleet, Waymo has officially unveiled a new identity for its highly anticipated Zeekr-developed robotaxi. After three years of rigorous refinement and extensive testing, the minivan-esque vehicle, a product of collaboration with the Chinese automaker Zeekr, will now be known as Ojai (pronounced "oh-hi") before its full commercial deployment, as confirmed by the company to Hustler Words.
The designation "Ojai" draws inspiration from the picturesque village nestled in California’s Topatopa Mountains, celebrated for its vibrant arts community and focus on wellness. This geographical nod isn’t merely aesthetic; Waymo spokesperson Chris Bonelli indicated that the company found the Zeekr brand largely unknown to the American public. This rebranding extends to the user experience itself, with the Ojai robotaxi reportedly greeting passengers with a charming "Oh hi" followed by their name upon entry – a subtle yet memorable touch.
Beyond the stated rationale of brand familiarity, industry observers note the potential strategic advantage of disassociating the vehicle’s public identity from its Chinese manufacturing origin within the U.S. market. Waymo initially forged its partnership with Geely Holding Group-owned Zeekr in 2021, subsequently showcasing a concept of the purpose-built robotaxi in Los Angeles the following year. This prototype leveraged a specialized version of Zeekr’s SEA-M architecture, explicitly engineered for "future mobility products" like autonomous taxis and logistics solutions.
An interesting evolution in the vehicle’s design trajectory is evident: while the initial prototype famously lacked a steering wheel, the Ojai iteration, which debuted at CES 2026, incorporates one. Throughout its development and testing phases across cities such as Phoenix and San Francisco, the vehicle, previously identified as the Zeekr RT, has undergone continuous optimization.
The sophisticated hardware suite powering the Ojai remains consistent with its earlier unveiling. This includes an impressive array of 13 cameras, four lidar units, six radar sensors, multiple external audio receivers, and remarkably compact sensor wipers. However, Waymo has implemented a minor aesthetic adjustment, shifting the vehicle’s paint color from a subtle bluish tint to a more refined silver, as communicated to Hustler Words.
These final calibrations precede the Ojai’s imminent entry into full commercial service. Currently, Waymo employees, alongside their family and friends, are already experiencing the Ojai van in San Francisco and Phoenix – a crucial penultimate phase before public availability.
This launch underscores Waymo’s aggressive expansion strategy. The autonomous driving pioneer, which presently operates commercial robotaxi services in key metropolitan areas including Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco, has ambitious plans to extend its footprint into a dozen additional cities over the coming year. This includes major markets such as Denver, Las Vegas, and London, signaling a significant acceleration in the deployment of self-driving technology.
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