Observed Signal · Feb 12, 2026 · Deployment · Source: CNBC Technology · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Waymo Launches Next-Gen Robotaxis to Strengthen U.S. Dominance
Waymo has begun deploying its sixth-generation Waymo Driver in Ojai robotaxis, initially offering employee rides in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles with plans to expand to public riders later this year. The new driver uses more cost-effective components, upgraded lidar and radar, a 17-megapixel imager that reduces the number of required cameras, and new in-house algorithms and integrated cleaning systems to improve performance in rain and snow. Waymo installs its autonomous stack into base vehicles supplied by Geely/Zeekr and says it will not share its driving technology, sensor data, or rider information with the automaker. The company operates in six U.S. markets today, plans major U.S. and international expansions in 2026, reported a $16 billion funding round led by Alphabet valuing Waymo at $126 billion, and faces some U.S. political scrutiny over its use of Chinese-made vehicles.
Alphabet-owned Waymo's technical deployment of a next-generation driver and large funding/valuation materially affect the autonomous vehicle sector and expansion plans; also raises supply-chain and political scrutiny related to use of Chinese-made vehicles.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Waymo began using its sixth-generation Waymo Driver to provide robotaxi rides to employees in Ojai vehicles in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles.
- The sixth-generation system uses cheaper parts, upgraded lidar and radar, a 17-megapixel imager, and new algorithms and integrated cleaning systems to improve vision and performance in adverse weather.
- Waymo installs its autonomous driving technology in base vehicles supplied by Geely/Zeekr in the U.S. and stated it will not provide access to its driving technology, sensor data, or rider information to Zeekr.
- Waymo raised a $16 billion funding round led by Alphabet that valued the company at $126 billion; Alphabet's Other Bets reported $7.51 billion in losses in 2025.
- Waymo currently offers fully autonomous robotaxi service in six U.S. markets and plans to expand to many additional U.S. cities and to London in 2026.
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Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service to Four New Cities
Waymo expanded its robotaxi service to "select riders" in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Orlando, bringing its U.S. footprint to 10 cities. Invitations will roll out via the Waymo app, with general availability in these markets targeted by the end of 2026. The company will deploy its fifth-generation driver system in Jaguar I-PACE vehicles in the newly launched markets; Waymo has also been testing a sixth-generation driver on Geely-built Ojai cars for employees and guests in California. Waymo reported raising a $16 billion funding round that valued the company at $126 billion and said it operates just over 3,000 autonomous vehicles. Regulators have opened investigations into Waymo vehicle behavior around schools and buses, and the company reported providing more than 400,000 paid trips per week and over 20 million lifetime trips.
Waymo Scales Robotaxi Fleet Across US
Waymo's commercial robotaxi service has expanded from three cities in September 2024 to 15 U.S. cities in 2026, averaging 500,000 paid rides weekly. Analysis of fleet data reveals concentration in California and Texas, with about 80% of its roughly 4,000 robotaxis. Texas fleet surged by 49% in three weeks, reaching 1,102 vehicles, driven by influx of Zeekr RT minivans branded 'Ojai'. The Ojai, built on Zeekr's SEA-M platform, is central to Waymo's cost reduction strategy, though U.S. tariffs on Chinese-built vehicles raise costs. Waymo plans to import 5,100 Ojais by year-end, expanding to Florida, Las Vegas, and other markets.
Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service to Ten U.S. Cities!
Waymo has opened its robotaxi service to the public in four additional U.S. cities — Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Orlando — bringing its footprint to ten U.S. cities. The company will invite select riders via the Waymo app and scale availability over time, starting with dozens of vehicles in each new market. Waymo currently operates about 3,000 robotaxis across six markets and reported more than 400,000 rides per week in its last public update; it aims to exceed one million rides per week by year-end. The company recently raised an additional $16 billion in a funding round that values it at $126 billion. Regulators including the NHTSA and NTSB are investigating safety incidents involving Waymo vehicles.
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