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Waymo's New Robotaxi Ditches Luxury for Smarts
28 Jun
Summary
- Waymo's new Ojai robotaxi is built on Geely's Zeekr platform.
- The Ojai prioritizes functionality over luxury, featuring basic cloth seats.
- The vehicle boasts improved accessibility with sliding doors and lower step-in.
Waymo is introducing its latest autonomous vehicle, the Ojai, a robotaxi built on Chinese manufacturer Geely's Zeekr platform. While Waymo develops the autonomous technology in the US, the Ojai's base vehicle is supplied by Geely. This new model differs significantly from the Jaguar I-PACE previously used, focusing on operational efficiency rather than luxury.
The Ojai features a stripped-down interior with cloth seats and plastic flooring, designed for easy cleaning and durability. It includes functional enhancements such as sliding doors for improved accessibility and a lower step-in height, benefiting passengers with limited mobility and children. The vehicle also incorporates features to prevent "dooring" incidents, crucial for cyclist safety.
Significant technological improvements include a more integrated sensor suite and three large touch screens for navigation and entertainment. The Ojai is designed to handle various weather conditions, with self-warming and self-cleaning sensors. This marks an evolution from the I-PACE models, which will not receive further software updates beyond version 5, while the Ojai uses Waymo Driver software version 6.
