Waymo's New Robotaxi Minivans Are Now Taking Paying Passengers
The expansion in Ojai, California marks a step toward broader commercial deployment.
Waymo has begun offering paid rides to the public in its new robotaxi minivans, expanding its commercial autonomous vehicle service.
What Happened
The Alphabet-owned company launched public rides in Ojai, California using its latest generation of autonomous minivans. The service, which was previously available only to select users in closed testing, is now open to paying passengers through Waymo's ride-hailing platform. This marks a significant step in the company's transition from pilot program to commercial operation.
Why It Matters
For potential riders and the broader autonomous vehicle industry, this deployment signals that Waymo is moving beyond limited testing phases toward sustainable commercial service. The expansion demonstrates real-world viability of autonomous ride-hailing using minivan platforms, which offer greater passenger capacity than the sedans previously deployed by some competitors.
The Bottom Line
Waymo is now operating a commercial robotaxi service with its new minivans in Ojai, California, expanding access to paying passengers beyond previous testing programs.
