Waymo’s new direction: A Chinese autonomous taxi to dominate the future?

Waymo, the Alphabet subsidiary dedicated to the development of autonomous vehicles, has marked a before and after in its strategy by announcing an alliance with Zeekr, a Chinese manufacturer of electric vehicles, for the production of its sixth generation of autonomous taxis.

This move, which breaks with the company’s tradition of using vehicles from other Western manufacturers and adapting them with its technology, has profound implications for the future of autonomous mobility.

Until now, Waymo had chosen to equip cars from brands such as Jaguar and Chrysler with its sophisticated autonomous driving system, known as Waymo Driver. However, this new stage is betting on an exclusive and personalized design, developed in collaboration with Zeekr, which will materialize in an electric minivan specifically designed for autonomous mobility.

The choice of Zeekr as a strategic partner is not accidental. This brand, owned by the Chinese giant Geely, which in turn controls Volvo, has positioned itself as a relevant player in the high-end electric vehicle market. Its experience in large-scale production, coupled with the cost competitiveness that characterizes the Chinese industry, make Zeekr an apparently ideal ally for Waymo.

A photo of the car can be seen below

The new autonomous taxi will be equipped with a high-capacity battery, promising considerable autonomy. In addition, it will feature a cutting-edge technological arsenal to ensure safe and efficient autonomous driving. Sixteen cameras, six radars, five lidars and a network of strategically placed microphones will allow the vehicle to “see” and “hear” its surroundings within a radius of 500 meters, regardless of weather or light conditions.

This is a strategic move with global implications. Waymo’s decision to partner with a Chinese manufacturer goes beyond simple cost reduction. China has become the epicenter of the electric vehicle and autonomous mobility revolution. The Asian country has the largest electric car market in the world and a rapidly developing innovation ecosystem.

By partnering with Zeekr, Waymo gains direct access to this vibrant ecosystem, benefiting from the Chinese supply chain, production capacity and talent. In addition, this alliance strategically positions Waymo in the Chinese market, which is expected to be the main driver of the adoption of autonomous taxis in the coming years.

But despite the obvious advantages, the alliance between Waymo and Zeekr is not without challenges. Trade tensions between the United States and China, materialized in tariffs and taxes on the import of Chinese electric vehicles, could affect the profitability of the project.

However, Waymo’s bet seems to go beyond political circumstances. The American company seems convinced that, in the long term, China will dominate the electric vehicle industry and autonomous mobility.

The alliance between Waymo and Zeekr is a clear indication of China’s growing influence in the autonomous mobility sector. The Asian country’s ability to produce electric vehicles on a large scale and at competitive prices, together with the rapid development of its innovation ecosystem, make it a dominant player in this emerging market.

By choosing a Chinese partner for its new generation of autonomous taxis, Waymo is not only looking to optimize costs, but is also strategically positioning itself in the world’s largest potential growth market. This alliance could mark a turning point in the industry, driving mass adoption of autonomous mobility and consolidating China’s leadership in this sector.

However, other reports claim that Waymo has met with Hyundai on several occasions as a possible alternative to manufacture its autonomous taxi, in case taxes make cars manufactured by Zeekr too expensive. Apparently there are many communications and nothing decided.

As technology advances and regulatory hurdles are overcome, the image of a future where Chinese autonomous taxis circulate on the streets of cities around the world becomes increasingly clear.

We will see what the future holds for us.