> At a Glance
> – Waymo retires the Zeekr RT name, christening its purpose-built robotaxi “Ojai”
> – New moniker nods to a wellness-focused arts village north of Los Angeles
> – Fleet entering final testing with employees in San Francisco and Phoenix
> – Why it matters: Waymo’s expansion into a dozen more cities rides on a U.S.-friendly identity that passengers can easily pronounce and remember
Waymo is quietly shedding the Chinese Zeekr branding ahead of its next robotaxi rollout, swapping the technical-sounding Zeekr RT for a California-inspired nameplate: Ojai.
From Zeekr RT to Ojai
After three years of development, the Geely-built people-mover will greet riders with a friendly “Oh hi” and their own name, spokesperson Chris Bonelli told News Of Philadelphia. Executives concluded Americans neither recognize nor can easily pronounce Zeekr, prompting the change.
- Pronunciation: “oh-hi”
- In-vehicle greeting: personalized “Oh hi, [name]”
- Reason cited: brand recognition gap in the U.S.
Hardware Holds, Paint Tweaked
The production version shown at CES 2026 keeps the original sensor suite:
- 13 cameras
- 4 lidar units
- 6 radar modules
- External audio receivers
- Miniature sensor wipers
Only the exterior color shifts-from a bluish tint to a more neutral silver.
| Feature | Zeekr RT Concept | Ojai Final |
|---|---|---|
| Steering wheel | No | Yes |
| Paint tone | Blue-tinged | Silver |
| Sensor count | Same | Same |
Waymo employees and their guests can already hail the van in San Francisco and Phoenix, the usual last step before a public launch.
Expansion Push
The company currently operates paid robotaxis in:
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Los Angeles
- Phoenix
- San Francisco
Another dozen markets-including Denver, Las Vegas, and London-are slated to come online within a year.
Key Takeaways
- Zeekr RT renamed Ojai to improve U.S. consumer familiarity
- Vehicles retain all sensors, add steering wheel for regulatory needs
- Final beta underway; public debut expected soon
- Waymo plans rapid rollout to 12 additional cities in next 12 months
The rebrand clears a cultural hurdle as Waymo prepares to quadruple its geographic footprint.
