Waymo’s cheaper, next-gen robotaxi is now open to all riders in these three cities

Waymo has opened its next-generation robotaxi to all riders in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco — a notable milestone for the Alphabet company as it pushes to expand its fleet with vehicles that are cheaper to build, operate, and maintain. For now, customers in these markets may be matched with the new robotaxi, called the Ojai (pronounced oh-hi) when they hail a ride.

What are your thoughts on this move and its broader impact on the ecosystem?

Reference: TechCrunch (https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/19/waymos-cheaper-next-gen-robotaxi-is-now-open-to-all-riders-in-these-three-cities/)