Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) (GOOG) just gave us a fresh look at the future of autonomous transportation, and it comes in minivan form. The company's self-driving unit Waymo unveiled its latest robotaxi Wednesday at CES 2026, and it's the product of an ongoing partnership with Chinese automaker Zeekr that dates back to 2021.
Meet Ojai: The Robotaxi With a Name
Waymo has christened its new minivan "Ojai" (pronounced OH-HAI, in case you were wondering). The vehicle made its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and Waymo isn't wasting time getting it on the road. The company is integrating its next-generation autonomous technology into the minivan at its Arizona facility, with testing already happening in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.
So what makes this thing tick? According to a post from influencer Sawyer Merritt on social media platform X, the Ojai is basically a sensor fortress on wheels. We're talking more than 13 cameras, 6 radar sensors, and 4 LiDAR sensors. And because sensors are only useful when they can actually see what's happening, the vehicle comes equipped with heaters, wipers, and sprayers to keep all that hardware clean and functional in various weather conditions.
Looking Beyond U.S. Borders
The Ojai reveal comes at an interesting moment for Waymo. The company has been setting its sights on international expansion, specifically London. Waymo announced plans to work with its local fleet operations partner, Moove, while navigating the regulatory approval process to operate robotaxis in the British capital. That's a significant move for a company that has so far focused its commercial operations on American cities.
And speaking of expansion, Waymo is reportedly looking to fuel its growth with serious capital. The Tesla Inc. (TSLA) rival is seeking to raise more than $10 billion in funding at a valuation north of $100 billion. That's not entirely surprising when you consider Waymo's commanding position in the U.S. robotaxi market. The company completed over 14 million paid robotaxi rides last year, firmly establishing itself as the leader in the autonomous ride-hailing race.
Zeekr Eyes American Market Entry
Meanwhile, there's an intriguing subplot developing with Zeekr itself. The Chinese automaker, which is backed by Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. (GELYF) (GELHY), is reportedly considering its own entry into the U.S. market in the near future. This could get interesting from a logistics standpoint. Geely holds a majority stake in Swedish automaker Volvo, which in turn owns Polestar Automotive (PSNY). Volvo operates a production facility in South Carolina, which could potentially serve as a landing pad for Zeekr's American ambitions if they decide to pull the trigger.
Price Action: Alphabet's Class A shares gained 0.58% during Thursday's pre-market trading, climbing to $323.86.