New Waymo Robotaxi Custom Built By Zeekr Spotted in San Diego - CleanTechnica

Waymo has partnered with Chinese electric vehicle startup Zeekr to develop custom-designed robotaxi vehicles for its autonomous ride-hailing operations. Despite geopolitical tensions and trade restrictions between the US and China, these Zeekr-built Waymo robotaxis have been spotted testing in San Diego, California, marking a significant step toward their deployment. This collaboration is notable given Waymo’s US market focus and the unusual nature of a US-China partnership in this sector. While Waymo has not officially announced plans to launch service in San Diego, the presence of these test vehicles suggests an imminent expansion to the city. Waymo already operates robotaxi services in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Phoenix, and San Diego is widely expected to be among the next launch locations. The article highlights this development as a key milestone in Waymo’s broader rollout strategy for its autonomous taxi service.