Waymo has amassed a significant fleet of its new Ojai robotaxis at its Mesa, Arizona factory, according to the latest aerial count. With 684 finished vehicles ready for deployment, this marks a major step in Waymo’s ongoing expansion of its driverless ride-hailing service.
Aerial Count Reveals Waymo’s Growing Fleet
A recent aerial survey posted to the r/waymo subreddit by user jjricks_ provides a detailed look at the scale of Waymo’s robotaxi ramp-up. The August count found 953 Ojai vehicles on the lot at the Magna factory in Mesa, Arizona, with 684 fully retrofitted and ready to deploy. The remaining 269 vehicles are awaiting conversion.
This monthly tracking effort has become a reliable indicator of Waymo’s production progress. For comparison, the same tracker counted about 500 Ojai units in early June, highlighting a rapid increase in finished vehicles over just two months.
Waymo Ojai: Purpose-Built for Autonomy
The Ojai is Waymo’s first purpose-built robotaxi, with the base vehicle manufactured by Zeekr in China and then shipped to Mesa for retrofitting by Magna. The vehicle is equipped with Waymo’s sixth-generation Driver system, which features 13 cameras and four lidars—using 42% fewer sensors than the previous generation.
Waymo has stated that the sixth-generation sensor suite costs under $20,000 (~AUD 28,320) per vehicle, making it more affordable to scale the fleet. The Ojai is gradually replacing the older Jaguar I-Pace models, which were not originally designed for autonomous ride-hailing.
Hyundai IONIQ 5 Joins the Lineup
The August count also revealed 12 finished Hyundai IONIQ 5 robotaxis at the Mesa facility. This marks the first time Waymo’s second purpose-built vehicle has appeared in a finished state at the factory, indicating the company is preparing to diversify its autonomous fleet.
Deployment and Service Expansion
Waymo began offering paid rides in the Ojai earlier this year in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. The company is currently providing about 500,000 paid rides per week across approximately a dozen cities and is aiming to reach one million weekly rides before the end of 2026.
With 684 finished Ojai robotaxis ready to deploy, Waymo is positioned to make a substantial addition to its operational fleet as it continues to expand its service.
Why this matters
The accumulation of nearly 700 finished robotaxis at a single facility demonstrates Waymo’s ability to scale both production and conversion of autonomous vehicles. This stockpile represents a significant increase in potential ride capacity, supporting Waymo’s goal of reaching one million weekly rides.
The addition of a second vehicle model, the Hyundai IONIQ 5, also signals Waymo’s intent to diversify its fleet and reduce reliance on a single supplier, which could further accelerate deployment in new markets.
What this means for buyers
For consumers and cities interested in autonomous ride-hailing, Waymo’s growing fleet suggests that expanded service areas and increased ride availability may be on the horizon. Those considering using or partnering with Waymo can expect more vehicles and potentially shorter wait times as deployment accelerates.
Key Specs
- Finished Ojai Robotaxis (August 2026): 684
- Total Ojai Vehicles on Lot: 953
- Hyundai IONIQ 5 Robotaxis (Finished): 12
- Waymo Driver System: Sixth-generation
- Sensor Suite: 13 cameras, 4 lidars
- Sensor Suite Cost: $20,000 (~AUD 28,320)
- Weekly Paid Rides (Current): 500,000
Source
Images sourced from: electrek.co, foxnews.com
