Waymo is rebranding its Zeekr RT robotaxi, renaming it "Ojai" before its integration into Waymo's commercial fleet, the company told TechCrunch. The vehicle, developed over the past three years in collaboration with Chinese automaker Zeekr, will now bear the name of a village in the Topatopa Mountains near Los Angeles, known for its arts community and wellness focus.

According to Waymo spokesperson Chris Bonelli, the decision to rebrand stems from the U.S. public's unfamiliarity with the Zeekr brand. "The company determined the U.S. public isn’t familiar with the Zeekr brand," Bonelli stated. The new branding may extend to the rider experience, with the Ojai robotaxi potentially greeting passengers with "Oh hi" followed by their name.

Waymo initially partnered with Geely Holding Group-owned Zeekr in 2021, unveiling a concept robotaxi the following year in Los Angeles. The prototype was built on Zeekr's SEA-M architecture, designed for future mobility solutions like robotaxis and logistics vehicles. The collaboration aimed to leverage Zeekr's vehicle engineering capabilities with Waymo's autonomous driving technology.

The rebranding comes at a time when autonomous vehicle companies are striving for greater public acceptance and trust. Removing the name of a Chinese automaker could potentially mitigate any negative perceptions or associations in the U.S. market. The Ojai's design, resembling a minivan, is intended to provide a comfortable and spacious ride for passengers. Waymo has been rigorously testing and refining the vehicle's autonomous driving system to ensure safety and reliability. The company has not yet announced a specific timeline for the Ojai's deployment in its commercial robotaxi service.