Waymo launched its sixth generation of robotaxis: first for employees, and now for the general public with tens of thousands of vehicles

Waymo is preparing the sixth generation of autonomous robotaxis

Waymo announced that its sixth-generation robotaxi technology is already “ready for passenger rides.” Initially, the upgraded system will be used in a service for employees and their friends in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Later it will become available to regular customers, and in the future there are plans to deploy it on tens of thousands of robo‑vehicles.

Current Waymo fleet
* Jaguar I‑Pace electric cars – using the fifth-generation system (introduced in March 2020).

*Cross‑over sales ended at the end of 2024.*

* Compatibility of the new generation – from the Zeekr RT minivan (Ojai) to the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Waymo is negotiating with other automakers, including Toyota, about supporting this technology in future models.

What makes the sixth generation unique
1. The number of sensors has been reduced—lowering cost without sacrificing functionality.

2. Updated cameras—16 cameras instead of 29, but with a resolution of 17 MP.

3. Improved lidar accuracy—now they can detect objects that cameras might miss.

4. Enhanced radar—more reliable in extreme weather conditions (snow, rain).

The system is designed for mass production: Waymo partners can produce tens of thousands of vehicles per year on its platform.

Testing data
* Over seven years of work on the autonomous system, approximately 322 million km were driven in “test‑drive” mode across more than ten major cities.

* The system provides necessary redundancy: cameras, lidars and radars create a complete picture of the environment and allow recognition even of the most difficult-to-detect objects.

Plans for the coming years
Year Planned fleet 2026 + 2000 cars (total fleet – 3500) 2027 – tens of thousands of vehicles
*This year, the company intends to launch in 20 new cities.*

Thus, Waymo continues to expand the capabilities of autonomous vehicles, making them more accessible and reliable for the general public.