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Waymo opens next-gen Ojai robotaxi to all riders in three cities
Waymo has opened its next-generation Ojai robotaxi to all riders in Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Francisco, marking a step toward cheaper autonomous rides at scale.
The Alphabet-owned company now has about 300 Ojai vehicles in commercial service, a spokesperson said. The vehicle is the first to use Waymo's sixth-generation self-driving system, which is designed to be modular and adaptable to multiple vehicle types.
The Ojai, pronounced "oh-hi," becomes the newest option in Waymo's ride-hail fleet. Riders in the three initial cities may be matched with the Ojai when they hail a trip, and a vehicle-choice feature will roll out once enough Ojais are available.
Waymo has long relied on the all-electric, modified Jaguar I-Pace, which has become ubiquitous in cities like San Francisco. The I-Pace has served as a stopgap in the company's push toward mass scale and profitability, while the Ojai is built to meet that ambition more directly.
Waymo said it plans to introduce the Ojai in Denver, Las Vegas and San Diego later this year. The company's robotaxi service currently operates in 11 U.S. cities.