Waymo has been refining and testing a minivan-style robotaxi built by Chinese automaker Zeekr over the past three years. As the vehicle prepares to join Waymo’s official commercial fleet, it is getting a new name: the Zeekr RT robotaxi will now be called Ojai (pronounced “oh-hi”), named after a village in the Topatopa Mountains near Los Angeles, known for its arts scene and wellness focus.
Waymo has been working on a robotaxi based on a vehicle made by the Chinese automaker Zeekr for the last three years. Before it joins Waymo’s commercial fleet, the robotaxi is receiving a new name. The Zeekr RT robotaxi will now be called Ojai (pronounced “oh-hi”), named after a village in the Topatopa Mountains near Los Angeles, known for its arts community and focus on wellness.
Waymo explained that the name change was necessary because the Zeekr brand is not well-known in the U.S. The name Ojai also ties into the user experience, as the robotaxi will greet passengers with an “Oh hi” and their name.
Waymo first partnered with Geely Holding Group-owned Zeekr in 2021, showcasing a prototype of the robotaxi the following year. The prototype was based on Zeekr’s SEA-M architecture designed for robotaxis and logistics vehicles. The prototype didn’t have a steering wheel, but the updated Ojai model, which was unveiled at CES 2026, does.
The Ojai has undergone several updates during its testing phases in cities like Phoenix and San Francisco. While the hardware remains largely the same as the original Zeekr RT, the paint color has been adjusted from a blueish tint to a more silver hue. The robotaxi features a suite of sensors, including 13 cameras, four lidar, six radar, and small sensor wipers.
Waymo is expanding its commercial robotaxi service rapidly. Currently available in cities like Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco, the company plans to expand into 12 more cities over the next year. This includes cities like Denver, Las Vegas, and London.
Employees and their families have already been able to hail the Ojai robotaxi in San Francisco and Phoenix, which is typically one of the final steps before the service becomes available to the public.
As Waymo approaches the launch of the Ojai, the vehicle has undergone several testing phases in major cities. Last year at CES, the robotaxi was shown off under its original name, Zeekr RT, with an array of sensors for autonomous driving. Now, with the new name Ojai, Waymo is preparing for the vehicle’s commercial debut.
Waymo’s vehicle refinements, including design changes and sensor adjustments, aim to optimize the user experience and ensure that the Ojai robotaxi can meet the demands of an expanding market.
Waymo’s rebranding of its Zeekr robotaxi to Ojai reflects both a strategic marketing move and preparation for the vehicle’s official commercial launch. With the vehicle undergoing significant updates and testing in multiple U.S. cities, Waymo is on track for a broader rollout of its robotaxi services in the coming months.