Waymo has deployed its Ojai robotaxi, the first vehicle the company has designed from scratch specifically for autonomous passenger service rather than adapting an existing car platform. The Ojai features sixth-generation self-driving hardware, expanded interior space, and greater luggage capacity compared to prior models. Public rides are currently being offered at no charge in California and Arizona, with no human safety driver present.
This is a meaningful step for Alphabet, Waymo's parent, as it signals a shift from retrofitting commercial vehicles to owning the full product stack — a move that could lower long-term unit costs and improve margins if the robotaxi business scales. Broader autonomous vehicle plays, including suppliers and competitors, will feel pressure or opportunity depending on how the Ojai's public rollout performs. Investors in legacy automakers and ride-hailing platforms like Uber should watch closely, as purpose-built robotaxis without human drivers are the direct long-term threat to both industries.
Ongoing: Waymo Ojai public ride data and reported incident rates in California and Arizona. Next Alphabet earnings call (expected late July 2025): watch for any Waymo revenue or expansion commentary. California Public Utilities Commission filings: any new permits or service area expansions would signal accelerating rollout.
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