Waymo reveals that it will expand its self-driving taxi fleet with Geely all-electric vehicles
Waymo, the autonomous driving technology company, has announced that its robotaxis will use electric vehicles built by Chinese automaker Geely. It is working with Geely on a custom-built car for its autonomous ride-hailing service, Waymo One.
The Alphabet-owned company will integrate its Waymo Driver technology into Geely's Zeekr vehicle. The Zeekr will be re-designed for the Waymo One rider, optimizing comfort and convenience through features like generous legroom and low step-in height. The car has no steering wheel or pedals as it will be a fully autonomous vehicle; instead, a tablet is mounted on the dash where the driver would be.
Waymo Driver has an integrated system of software and hardware to enable the vehicle to understand the world around it. The car has radar, lidar and cameras for instant data gathering, which it combines with detailed maps and data from previous driving experiences to ensure passenger safety and journey efficiency.
The service is currently available in Phoenix, Arizona, where Waymo's current fleet comprises Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans, modified with its Driver technology.
Waymo has described the collaboration with Geely as "an important step" towards its commitment to sustainable transportation through its electric fleet. Waymo plans to add this new car to the Waymo One fleet in the US, though no launch date is currently known.