Waymo begins public rides in Ojai as it shifts to lower-cost robotaxis

Summary

CNBC's MacKenzie Sigalos reports on Waymo's new lower-cost Ojai robotaxi, built with a China-manufactured shell and designed to reduce fleet costs. The vehicle aims to help Waymo more than double weekly paid rides by the end of the year as it competes with Tesla, Zoox, and Chinese rivals. The Ojai features a new sixth-generation software system with 40% fewer sensors and improved performance in snow and ice.

• Waymo introduced the Ojai, a budget robotaxi co-developed with Zeekr (a Chinese EV brand).
• The Ojai's base shell is manufactured in China and assembled in Arizona with Waymo sensors and software.
• Waymo says the Ojai is less expensive than the Jaguar I-Pace platform, even with tariffs.
• The vehicle uses durable synthetic materials instead of luxury cabin fittings.
• Waymo aims to scale weekly paid rides to over 1 million by year-end.
• The new sixth-generation software reduces sensor count by over 40% while improving performance.
• Waymo is expanding into colder markets like Denver.
• Waymo recently raised outside funding to support its growth.