Waymo Rolls Out Next-Gen Ojai Robotaxis Built for Bad Weather
Waymo's sixth-generation autonomous system hits the streets, promising better performance in harsh conditions.
Waymo just dropped its latest hardware upgrade. The company announced Thursday it's deploying sixth-generation driverless vehicles called Ojai, starting with employee rides in SF and LA.
The big sell? These robotaxis can supposedly handle rough weather better than their predecessors. That's been a persistent weak spot for autonomous vehicles across the industry.
For now, the rollout is limited to Waymo employees and their guests. No word yet on when regular riders will get access to the upgraded fleet.
It's an incremental but meaningful step. Weather adaptability remains one of the toughest challenges in self-driving tech. Rain, snow, and fog have historically confused sensors and cameras.
If Ojai delivers on its promises, Waymo could widen the gap between itself and competitors still struggling with basic operational reliability.