Waymo has been testing and refining its minivan-style robo-taxi, developed by Chinese manufacturer Zeekr, for the past three years. The company told TechCrunch that it will get a new name before it goes into commercial use.
The robo-taxi, previously known as the Zeekr RT, will now be called the Ojai (pronounced “oh-hay”). The name is taken from the Ojai village in California, located above Los Angeles and known for its arts scene.
Waymo spokesman Chris Bonelli said one reason is that the US public is not yet familiar with the Zeekr brand. The new name will also be reflected in the passenger experience: the car will greet the user with the phrase “Oh hi” and its name.
Waymo formed a partnership with Zeekr (Geely Holding Group) back in 2021. The first dedicated robo-taxi concept was unveiled in Los Angeles in 2022. The Ojai version, shown at CES 2026, has a steering wheel — the previous prototype did not.
The car's technical specifications have not changed: 13 cameras, 4 lidars, 6 radars, external audio sensors and miniature windshield wipers have been retained. The only visual change is the body color — a change from blue to silver.
The start of commercial use of Ojai is approaching. Currently, Waymo employees and their relatives can call and test the robo-taxi in San Francisco and Phoenix — this is considered one of the final stages before public use.
Waymo currently operates in Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Francisco, and plans to launch the service in more than a dozen new cities over the next year, including Denver, Las Vegas and London.
