For the autonomous vehicle-obsessed, the Waymo-Zeekr robotaxi is nothing new.
In 2021, Waymo and Zeekr introduced a partnership. Waymo first confirmed an idea of the purpose-built robotaxi in late 2022 and commenced testing prototype variations on public roads in San Francisco final yr, even because it started rolling out its business fleet of Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis.
Still, a couple of new particulars emerged this week at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, the place each Zeekr and Waymo are exhibiting. And due to a static show that options the Zeekr robotaxi, we will get a close-up view of its sensors and the smallest wiper you’ve ever seen.
The picture under exhibits a package deal of sensors, which is situated on the entrance aspect of the automobile proper above the tire. This pod of sensors consists of two cameras with a small wiper on it — designed to maintain it away from particles — and radar. Another package deal of sensors on the again of the robotaxi consists of cameras, radar, and lidar. There’s a cleansing system and wiper on that lidar as properly.
Waymo instructed Techcrunch that the corporate designed the sensor-cleaning system from scratch. (And sure, there’s a mini cleansing system on its Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis.)
In all, the Zeekr RT has 13 cameras, 4 lidar, six radar, and an array of exterior audio receivers. Lidar, or mild detection and ranging radar, sends out pulses of sunshine and is ready to measure distance by timing how lengthy it takes the heartbeat to return.
The robotaxi now has an official title — the Zeekr RT, which was revealed at CES 2025. And there are a couple of extra particulars as properly. Zeekr introduced at CES 2025 that it’ll start delivering mass-produced Zeekr RTs to Waymo later this yr.
For the second, these robotaxis will probably be used for testing, in line with Waymo. Eventually, they’ll develop into a part of the corporate’s business fleet.
The Alphabet firm, which has a big exhibit at CES 2025, started testing parts of the Zeekr robotaxi in early 2024, beginning with the bottom chassis after which later geared up with sensors. Today, Waymo exams the prototype Zeekr RTs on public roads in San Francisco and Phoenix. Those automobiles are in autonomous mode with a human security driver behind the wheel.
Once Waymo receives the production-intent robotaxi, the corporate will proceed testing and validating them earlier than pulling out the human security driver. Waymo will seemingly comply with the trail it has earlier than and take a look at the Zeekr RT in driverless mode earlier than opening it as much as the general public.
