Waymo opens Ojai robotaxi service to all riders in three US cities
The Google-owned firm has moved its purpose-built driverless vans from limited trials to full public access in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco, following recent regulatory approvals in other markets.
Waymo has announced that its Ojai driverless vans are now available to all riders in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco. The Google-owned autonomous vehicle company confirmed the full rollout in a social media post, highlighting the spaciousness and backseat entertainment features of the purpose-built robotaxis.
This expansion marks a significant shift from the limited pickups the company offered earlier this year in the same three cities. By making the service accessible to the general public, Waymo is deepening its presence in key metropolitan areas where it has been testing its technology.
The move follows a series of recent regulatory developments for the firm. Just days prior to this announcement, Waymo stated it had been granted permission to operate its driverless cars in Sacramento and San Diego. This marks the second major expansion for the company in the past week, signalling an accelerated pace for its geographic growth.
Despite the positive news regarding market expansion, the rollout occurs against a backdrop of recent operational challenges. In May, Waymo suspended freeway access for its robotaxis and recalled vehicles after some of its fleet drove into closed construction zones. The company had debuted freeway rides as an option in select cities in November but was forced to pause this feature due to the safety incidents.
Waymo only restored freeway access to its robotaxis in July, indicating that the full Ojai rollout coincides with the stabilisation of its highway operations. The company continues to navigate the complexities of scaling autonomous services while addressing these technical and safety concerns.
In a notable detail, the new van model is named Ojai, yet Waymo is not yet available in Ojai, California. The company’s focus remains on its established markets in the West, where it is working to normalise the use of driverless vans for everyday commuters.
