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🚗Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service to 15 US Cities

Waymo's Texas Expansion is Heating Up

TL;DR

Waymo's robotaxi service now covers 15 US cities, with a massive 49% fleet increase in Texas over the past three weeks. The Ojai minivan, built on Zeekr's SEA-M platform, is key to this expansion.

Waymo has expanded its robotaxi service to 15 US cities, up from just three in September 2024. The company now averages 500,000 paid rides weekly, with 80% of its fleet in California and Texas. Texas, in particular, has seen a 49% increase in Waymo's fleet over the past three weeks, driven by the new Ojai minivan. The Ojai, built on Zeekr's SEA-M platform, is equipped with Waymo's sixth-generation self-driving system and Google's Gemini AI. As tariffs cut into cost savings, Waymo aims to bring 5,100 Ojai vehicles into the US by year-end, with Texas, Florida, and Las Vegas seeing the biggest influx.

Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service to 15 US Cities — TechCrunch

Key Points

1

Waymo's robotaxi service now covers 15 US cities, up from three in September 2024.

2

Waymo's fleet has grown by 49% in Texas over the past three weeks, with 1,102 vehicles registered as of September 24.

3

The Ojai minivan, built on Zeekr's SEA-M platform, is central to Waymo's fleet expansion.

4

Waymo's Ojai vehicles are equipped with the company's sixth-generation self-driving system and Google's Gemini AI.

5

Waymo aims to bring 5,100 Ojai vehicles into the US by the end of 2024, with Texas, Florida, and Las Vegas seeing the biggest influx.

Why It Matters

Waymo's rapid expansion in Texas, with a 49% fleet increase, signals a major shift in autonomous vehicle deployment. For cities like Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, this means a surge in robotaxi availability. The Ojai minivan, built on Zeekr's SEA-M platform, is crucial for this growth, offering advanced self-driving tech and Google's Gemini AI. However, tariffs on Chinese-built vehicles are a significant hurdle, impacting Waymo's cost structure.

WaymorobotaxiOjaiTexasfleet-expansion

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