Waymo at CES: New Ojai & Hyundai, Miami Nears Launch
Waymo’s CES 2026 booth highlights: the new Ojai robotaxi, fleet scaling signals, and a Miami launch that could be close.
Waymo showed off its next robotaxi at CES, now officially called the Waymo Ojai (pronounced “oh-hi”). It’s the same vehicle platform that’s been floating around as the Zeekr RT, and it’s been spotted countless times testing in various cities (with drivers).
Waymo Ojai at CES 2026.
The name is a nod to Ojai, California, but it raises an obvious question: why the sudden branding? Waymo’s official explanation is straightforward. Most U.S. riders aren’t familiar with the Zeekr brand. Still, it’s hard not to wonder if the rebrand also helps prevent casual riders from immediately associating the vehicle with a Chinese automaker, since Zeekr is a China-based brand under Geely.
Under the hood and, of course, on the roof, the Ojai is built around the 6th-generation Waymo Driver: 13 cameras, 6 radars, and 4 lidars, plus weather-focused details like heaters, mini wipers, and fluid sprayers. Waymo has been validating it through a mix of real-world fleet testing and controlled scenario-based testing.
If the rollout feels slow, that’s kind of the point. Waymo usually ships new capabilities in phases, like its freeway feature, which started with limited access and expanded over time. We expect the Zeekrs, or now Ojai, to follow that same gradual pattern alongside the current Jaguar I-PACE fleet, likely with waitlists, Trusted Testers, and staged availability.
Still, Ojai is expected to reach the public later this year, alongside the Jaguar I-PACEs that already power Waymo One today. (Oops, now it’s just “Waymo.”)
Waymo also had its Hyundai partnership represented at CES. The IONIQ 5 is still part of Waymo’s next wave, and Hyundai vehicles have started gradually testing with human drivers, but there’s no public launch day yet.
Waymo Hyundai IONIQ 5 at CES 2026 (left); camouflaged test vehicle spotted in public testing (right).
Waymo has made it clear that it needs as many vehicles as it can get as it expands. Demand is already high, and one of the biggest rider complaints is limited availability, especially during peak hours.
Waymo’s booth leaned into the “world tour” vibe, with city nods like a UK license plate and a Japanese-style street sign, referencing international testing efforts in places like Tokyo. Waymo is also planning to offer rides in London sometime in 2026.
Waymo’s CES 2026 booth wall.
The booth also played interactive videos showing real-world moments from the fleet, including last-minute saves and winter testing. If you weren’t able to get to CES, Waymo has a similar exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
Waymo has announced multiple cities in just the past couple months, and one that looks especially close is Miami. Waymo has already started testing fully autonomous operations there, with a launch expected early this year.
According to anonymous sources, the specific launch day is very soon. If the rumors hold, Miami could be one of the first major AV moments of the year. But one thing’s for sure: the Autonomous Vehicle revolution is only just getting started.
