Waymo has spent the last three years fine-tuning a minivan-like vehicle crafted by the Chinese automaker Zeekr. Before adding this robotaxi to its official commercial fleet, the company has decided to give it a new name: Ojai (pronounced “oh-hi”), inspired by the artsy and wellness-focused village in the Topatopa Mountains near Los Angeles.
Waymo spokesperson Chris Bonelli explained that they found the U.S. public largely unfamiliar with the Zeekr brand. Instead, they opted for Ojai to enhance the rider experience. When passengers enter the Ojai, it will greet them with a friendly “Oh hi” followed by their name—definitely a nice touch.
Ditching the name of a Chinese automaker may also benefit its reception in the U.S. market.
For some background, Waymo first partnered with Geely Holding Group-owned Zeekr in 2021. They showcased a concept for a purpose-built robotaxi the following year at a high-profile event in Los Angeles. This prototype was based on Zeekr’s SEA-M architecture designed for future mobility solutions, such as robotaxis and logistics vehicles.
Unlike the initial prototype, which had no steering wheel, the Ojai, presented at CES 2026, includes one.
Over the years, the Zeekr RT (now Ojai) has undergone several refinements during its testing in cities like Phoenix and San Francisco. At CES last year, Waymo introduced the robotaxi under the now-retired name Zeekr RT and highlighted its advanced hardware, featuring 13 cameras, four lidar units, six radar systems, an array of external audio receivers, and the tiniest sensor wipers you’ve ever seen.
The technical specs remain the same, but Waymo noted that the paint color has changed, shifting from a bluish hue to a more silver appearance.
These final adjustments come as Ojai prepares for its upcoming commercial launch. Currently, Waymo employees and their friends and family have the opportunity to hail the Zeekr van in San Francisco and Phoenix, which is typically one of the last steps before public availability.
Waymo is rapidly expanding, already offering a commercial robotaxi service in cities like Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco. The company plans to roll out in a dozen more locations over the next year, including Denver, Las Vegas, and even London.
