Waymo starts offering rides in new Ojai robotaxi with 6th-gen Driver

Key Points:

• Waymo has launched its new purpose-built Ojai robotaxi, featuring the 6th-generation Driver hardware, offering free trips initially in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, marking a significant advancement in autonomous ride-hailing.
• The Ojai is designed specifically as a robotaxi with enhanced accessibility features, spacious interiors, and practical amenities, aiming to improve rider comfort and accommodate passengers with disabilities.
• The 6th-gen Driver hardware reduces sensor count by 42% compared to the previous generation, lowers costs to under $20,000 per unit, and enables autonomous operation in snowy conditions, facilitating expansion into new markets like Chicago.
• Waymo is scaling production at its Arizona factory to produce tens of thousands of vehicles annually, supported by a recent $16 billion funding round at a $126 billion valuation, while expanding service coverage to over 1,400 square miles across 11 cities.
• With over 20 million autonomous trips completed and roughly 500,000 paid rides per week, Waymo leads the autonomous vehicle industry in scale and operational deployment, outpacing competitors like Tesla by a wide margin.