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 started testing prototype variations on public roads in San Francisco final 12 months, even because it started rolling out its industrial fleet of Jaguar I-Tempo robotaxis.
Nonetheless, 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 beneath reveals a package deal of sensors, which is situated on the entrance aspect of the car proper above the tire. This pod of sensors contains two cameras with a small wiper on it — designed to maintain it away from particles — and radar. One other package deal of sensors on the again of the robotaxi contains cameras, radar, and lidar. There’s a cleansing system and wiper on that lidar as nicely.
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-Tempo robotaxis.)
In all, the Zeekr RT has 13 cameras, 4 lidar, six radar, and an array of exterior audio receivers. Lidar, or gentle 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 identify — the Zeekr RT, which was revealed at CES 2025. And there are a couple of extra particulars as nicely. Zeekr introduced at CES 2025 that it’s going to start delivering mass-produced Zeekr RTs to Waymo later this 12 months.
For the second, these robotaxis shall be used for testing, in line with Waymo. Ultimately, they’ll develop into a part of the corporate’s industrial fleet.
The Alphabet firm, which has a big exhibit at CES 2025, started testing components of the Zeekr robotaxi in early 2024, beginning with the bottom chassis after which later outfitted with sensors. At present, Waymo assessments the prototype Zeekr RTs on public roads in San Francisco and Phoenix. These autos are in autonomous mode with a human security driver behind the wheel.
As soon as 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 observe the trail it has earlier than and check the Zeekr RT in driverless mode earlier than opening it as much as the general public.
