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Waymo is opening its new Ojai robotaxi to select public passengers in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix at no charge, with plans to expand to Denver, Las Vegas, and San Diego before the end of the year.
The Ojai is Waymo's first vehicle designed specifically as a robotaxi rather than a retrofitted consumer car. Its cabin features a flat floor, a low step-in height, elevator-style doors, and three large LED screens that riders can use to adjust temperature and audio. The vehicle also includes braille markings, screen-reader compatibility, and a seat-integrated handle for riders who need extra support, the company said.
Powering the Ojai is Waymo's 6th-generation Driver, which according to Electrek trims total sensors by 42% relative to the prior generation — dropping camera count from 29 to 13 and lidar units from five to four — and extends the system's ability to handle snowier climates where earlier hardware fell short. According to Electrek, Waymo is aiming to keep hardware costs below $20,000 per vehicle. On top of that, the new sensor suite is built to cut through heavy rain and snow, and the vehicle's audio receivers have been tuned to more reliably pick up emergency sirens, according to CNBC.
