Waymo Launches 6th-Gen Robotaxi in Los Angeles
Waymo has launched its sixth-generation, fully driverless robotaxi fleet in Los Angeles. The new system is designed for improved navigation in adverse weather and dense urban traffic. Despite the technological advance, the company is hiring gig workers to manually close stuck vehicle doors, highlighting persistent operational challenges.
- The sixth-generation Waymo Driver system is built on two vehicle platforms: a purpose-built vehicle from Zeekr (a Geely brand) and the Hyundai IONIQ 5. The Zeekr vehicle hardware is assembled in China without Zeekr's software or sensors; Waymo's autonomous driving system is installed in the United States. - This new hardware suite uses fewer sensors than the previous generation, with a 42% reduction in total sensors, now comprising 13 cameras, four lidars, and six radar units. Despite the reduction, Waymo states the system has a greater detection range of up to 500 meters and is designed for better performance in adverse weather like rain and snow. - Waymo first launched a limited service in Los Angeles before opening to the general public in November 2024, removing a waitlist that had grown to nearly 300,000 people. The initial service area covered about 80 square miles, connecting areas like Santa Monica, Hollywood, and USC, and has since expanded to include freeway routes. - To handle cases of improperly closed doors, Waymo uses gig work platforms like Honk and DoorDash to dispatch local workers. These workers are paid around $20-$24 to travel to a stalled vehicle and manually shut a door, a workaround for older vehicle models that lack automatic-closing doors. - While expanding in LA, Waymo has faced challenges in other cities. During a major power outage in San Francisco in late 2025, numerous Waymo vehicles stalled in intersections when traffic lights went dark, effectively gridlocking parts of the city and forcing a temporary service suspension. - The primary U.S. competitor is Amazon's Zoox, which is testing its purpose-built vehicles and has launched limited services in Las Vegas and San Francisco. Meanwhile, General Motors shut down its Cruise robotaxi division after a series of safety incidents and regulatory scrutiny. - On a global scale, Waymo faces competition from Chinese companies like Baidu's Apollo Go, WeRide, and Pony AI, which are expanding operations in the Middle East and exploring European markets.
