Autonomous Navigation
Self-directed movement across a site with obstacle avoidance using an omnidirectional base and 360° sensors.
Waymo Ojai ("the Ojai") is a new, purpose-built vehicle for fully autonomous passenger transport (a robotaxi), unveiled by Waymo in May 2026. It was designed as a "rider-first" platform — focused on passenger comfort and experience. The vehicle has a brand-new, distinctive silhouette, elevator-like doors, a low step and a completely flat floor, making the interior feel like a "living room on wheels." The cabin features three large LED screens that let riders customize the trip.
Accessibility is built into the vehicle's DNA: embedded braille, screen-reader compatibility and a seat-integrated handle. While the silhouette is entirely new, the driving technology is an evolution of the safety-proven Waymo Driver, which has completed over 20 million fully autonomous trips across 11+ cities. The Ojai is the first vehicle to debut the 6th-generation Waymo Driver. First rides for select riders (Trusted Testers) begin in San Francisco, Phoenix and Los Angeles, with plans to scale to more cities.
Key competencies and robot functions
Self-directed movement across a site with obstacle avoidance using an omnidirectional base and 360° sensors.
Sensing the environment with stereo cameras and sensors, enabling object recognition and depth estimation.
Building spatial understanding of the environment using LiDAR, RGB/RGBD cameras, ToF and force sensors.