In August 2026, Waymo opened its newest robotaxi, the Ojai, to all riders in Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Francisco. Before that, only select “Trusted Tester” riders could book it. The Ojai is a van-style vehicle built by Zeekr, a brand of Geely, and it carries Waymo’s sixth-generation driving system.
What’s different about the Ojai?
The cabin, mostly. Waymo describes “elevator-like doors,” a low step and a completely flat floor. Forbes contributor Brad Templeton, who rode one, describes two large sliding doors with no pillar between them. Together with the low floor and high roofline, he says, they make getting in and out easy. The older Jaguar I-Pace sedans don’t work that way.
The hardware is leaner too. Electrek reports the sixth-generation system uses 13 cameras, four lidar units and six radar units, a 42% cut in sensor count from the fifth generation. Waymo says the sensor and compute hardware costs under $20,000 per vehicle, and Electrek reports the total vehicle cost should come in below half the reported cost of the I-Pace robotaxis it replaces. Those are Waymo’s figures, relayed by Electrek, and Waymo has not published a full vehicle price.
| Item | What sources say | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Open to all riders | Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco | Engadget, Electrek |
| Accessibility features | Braille, screen reader, seat handle, flat floor, low step | Waymo blog |
| Sensors | 13 cameras, 4 lidar, 6 radar | Electrek |
| Freeways | Not allowed at present | Forbes |
Who can ride one, and can I pick it?
In Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Francisco, anyone. Engadget reports Waymo said any rider can now be a passenger in the Ojai there. You can’t always choose it, though. Electrek reports the app matches you with one when one is nearby, and Waymo plans to offer a choice later. Denver, San Diego and Las Vegas are next for select riders, per Electrek.
Why It Matters to You
- If you ride Waymo in Los Angeles, Phoenix or San Francisco, you may get an Ojai now, no tester status needed.
- Riders who find a regular sedan hard to get into may like the low step and flat floor. Waymo also lists embedded braille, screen-reader compatibility and a seat-integrated handle.
- Nobody has measured whether the Ojai improves independence or lowers costs for older riders or riders with disabilities. That is still unproven.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Waymo hasn’t said so in the announcements we read. It has not said the Ojai carries a wheelchair. Templeton wrote that it “might also be easier to adapt for wheelchair use,” which is his speculation, not a stated feature. Riders who use wheelchairs should check Waymo’s accessibility help pages before relying on it.
What’s the catch?
Forbes says the Ojai is not allowed on freeways, which makes some trips longer. On one 11-mile trip, the detour added about five minutes. Forbes also found the trunk taller but narrower than the I-Pace’s, which could be a problem with large amounts of luggage, and it reported long waits at times because fewer Ojais are on the road.
No source gives a count of Ojais in service. Electrek reports nearly 1,000 staged at Waymo’s Arizona factory the week before launch, with hundreds already converted. Beyond that, the number on the road is unconfirmed.
What does a ride cost?
The sources give no separate Ojai fare. Early rides were free for select testers, and free tester rides have since ended, per Forbes.
Sources
- Waymo: Same Driver, new vehicle: Welcoming our first riders trips in the Ojai (May 28, 2026)
- Electrek: You can now ride a Chinese EV in the US as Waymo opens Zeekr Ojai to all (Aug 20, 2026)
- Forbes: Waymo’s Ojai Is Now Open To Public. My Experience Spoke To The Future (Aug 20, 2026)
- Engadget: Waymo Ojai vans are now available for all riders in three cities (Aug 19, 2026)