**Waymo’s Autonomous Minivan Gets a Brand New Name Before Launch**
You might recall the robotaxi prototype that Waymo showed off a few years ago, a minivan-like car designed in partnership with Chinese automaker Zeekr. Well, that’s about to hit the streets – but not as a Zeekr. Yep, you read that right – the vehicle has gotten a new name: the Ojai.
According to Waymo’s Chris Bonelli, the reason for the rebrand is pretty simple: the Zeekr brand isn’t super well-known in the US, and Waymo wants a name that resonates with the public. And it seems they’ve done their homework. When customers hop inside the Ojai, they’ll be greeted with a friendly “Oh hello, [name]” – the personal touch!
This change isn’t completely out of the blue. The partnership between Waymo and Zeekr was announced back in 2021, with the first prototype unveiled at an LA event. The concept was born from the SEA-M structure, a platform designed for futuristic mobility products like robotaxis and logistics vehicles. The original prototype was a bit futuristic, minus the steering wheel – but the production version, now the Ojai, has undergone some significant tweaks to make it more user-friendly.
Last year, at CES, Waymo gave the Ojai a refresh, showcasing its impressive hardware, including 13 cameras, 4 lidar, 6 radar, and teeny-tiny sensor wipers. The good news is that none of that tech is changing – just the paint job, from a nifty blue-ish hue to a sleeker silver. The Ojai is now ready to hit the roads, with Waymo staff and their families getting a sneak peek in San Francisco and Phoenix ahead of its public launch.
As for what’s next for Waymo, it’s big. The company is expanding to a dozen more cities in the next year, including Denver, Las Vegas, and London – that’s on top of existing markets like Atlanta, Austin, LA, Phoenix, and SF. We’ll keep you posted on the Ojai’s arrival, but for now, it’s all about the rebrand and prep for launch.
**What do you think of the new name? Share your thoughts in the comments!**
