Waymo has revealed that its Zeekr-built robotaxi is getting a new name ahead of its entry into the company’s commercial fleet. The vehicle, previously known as the Zeekr RT, will now be called Ojai (pronounced “oh-hi”), according to Waymo.
The name is inspired by the town of Ojai in California’s Topatopa Mountains, a place known for its arts community and wellness culture. Waymo spokesperson Chris Bonelli said the rebrand was driven by the fact that most Americans are unfamiliar with the Zeekr brand. The new name may also shape the rider experience, with the robotaxi expected to greet passengers with an “Oh hi” followed by their name.
Waymo first partnered with Geely-owned Zeekr in 2021 and unveiled a purpose-built robotaxi concept in 2022. That prototype, based on Zeekr’s SEA-M architecture for future mobility vehicles, notably lacked a steering wheel. The production-ready Ojai model, shown at CES 2026, now includes one.
Over the past few years, the vehicle has been tested and refined in cities such as Phoenix and San Francisco. At CES last year, Waymo showcased the robotaxi, then still called Zeekr RT, highlighting its hardware suite, which includes 13 cameras, four lidar units, six radar sensors, external audio receivers, and compact sensor wipers. That hardware remains unchanged, though Waymo says the paint color has shifted from a bluish tone to a more silver finish.
Related: Waymo Pulls Backup Drivers From Miami Robotaxis Ahead of 2026 Launch
Ahead of its public launch, Waymo employees and their friends and family are already able to hail the Ojai robotaxi in San Francisco and Phoenix. This marks one of the final steps before broader availability.
Waymo is currently expanding its robotaxi operations, which already run in Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco. The company plans to launch in more than a dozen additional cities over the next year, including Denver, Las Vegas, and London.
