Waymo's Zeekr Robotaxi Vans Begin Paid Service

Waymo’s latest robotaxis, built on the Zeekr platform, have officially entered commercial service, carrying paying passengers on public roads. These minivans, manufactured in China, represent a significant step for the company as it expands beyond its previous vehicle lineup.

The Zeekr vans are equipped with Waymo’s sixth-generation autonomous driving system, which includes a new suite of sensors and computing hardware. This generation is designed to be more cost-effective and scalable, allowing Waymo to deploy more vehicles across its operational areas.

The introduction of paid rides in these vans marks a milestone in Waymo’s strategy to diversify its fleet and reduce reliance on vehicles from a single manufacturer. The company has been testing the Zeekr vans for some time, and now they are ready for public use.

Waymo’s move reflects a broader trend in the autonomous vehicle industry toward purpose-built robotaxis that can be tailored to the specific needs of driverless operation. With this launch, Waymo continues to lead the way in commercializing self-driving technology.