Waymo is rebranding its Zeekr robotaxi

Waymo has spent the past 3 years refining and investigating a minivan-like conveyance made by Chinese automaker Zeekr. And now, earlier this robotaxi joins Waymo’s authoritative commercialized fleet, it’s getting a caller name, the institution told TechCrunch.

The Zeekr RT robotaxi volition present beryllium named Ojai (pronounced “oh-hi”) — aft the colony successful the Topatopa Mountains supra Los Angeles that is known for its arts assemblage and absorption connected wellness.

Waymo’s authoritative explanation, per spokesperson Chris Bonelli, is that the institution determined the U.S. nationalist isn’t acquainted with the Zeekr brand. That branding whitethorn adjacent transportation done to the rider experience. Apparently, erstwhile customers yet get into the Ojai, the robotaxi volition greet them with an “Oh hi” and their name. Cute.

Of course, successful the U.S. it mightiness not wounded to ditch the sanction of a Chinese automaker either.

For those unfamiliar, Waymo archetypal struck a partnership with Geely Holding Group-owned Zeekr successful 2021. Waymo showed disconnected a conception of a purpose-built robotaxi the pursuing twelvemonth astatine a splashy lawsuit successful Los Angeles. The prototype was based connected a mentation of Zeekr’s SEA-M architecture designed for “future mobility products” similar robotaxis and logistics vehicles.

Notably, the prototype didn’t person a steering wheel. But the Ojai one, which was shown disconnected astatine CES 2026, does.

The Zeekr RT (now Ojai) has gone done immoderate fine-tuning implicit the years arsenic it has gone done improvement and investigating successful cities similar Phoenix and San Francisco. Last twelvemonth astatine CES, Waymo gave the robotaxi the now-retired sanction of Zeekr RT and showcased immoderate of its hardware, including 13 cameras, 4 lidar, six radar, an array of outer audio receivers, and the tiniest sensor wipers you’ve ever seen.

That hardware suite is the same. But the overgarment colour has been tweaked, according to the company. Waymo told TechCrunch the overgarment color, which had a blueish tint, is present much silver.

All of these last tweaks person happened up of Ojai’s imminent motorboat into commercialized service. Waymo employees, and their household and friends, are present capable to hail the Zeekr van successful San Francisco and Phoenix — typically 1 of the past steps earlier it becomes disposable to the public.

Waymo is successful the midst of a accelerated expansion. The company, which offers a commercialized robotaxi work successful Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco, plans to motorboat successful a twelve much cities implicit the adjacent year. Those cities see Denver, Las Vegas, and London.