Waymo Will Use Autonomous Ride-Hailing Minivans Designed By Geely’s Zeekr

Waymo announced a new partnership with Zeekr, a premium EV brand that belongs to the Geely Holding Group. The automaker will build electric vehicles to be used as part of the Waymo One autonomous ride-hailing services in the United States.

The vehicles will be designed in Zeekr’s R&D center in Gothenburg, Sweeden, and will incorporate the Waymo Driver autonomous technology. Waymo showed a concept with a minivan silhouette, modern design features, and ADAS sensors on the roof and on the four corners of the vehicle.

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In our latest OEM collaboration, we’re pleased to work with @GeelyGroup as we integrate our Waymo Driver into a version of their new mobility-focused, all-electric Zeekr vehicle, designed for riders first. More: https://t.co/Qdf23Ln8Uw pic.twitter.com/5opt0Z1hxd

— Waymo (@Waymo) December 28, 2021

Waymo said that the vehicles are “designed to prioritize the comfort, convenience, and preferences of Waymo One riders”. The minivan shown in the pictures has a wraparound greenhouse and sliding doors that create a large opening for the spacious cabin.

The lack of a B-pillar, the low flat floor, and the generous legroom/headroom make ingress and egress easier for passengers. Inside there is room for up to five in comfy-looking reclining seats, there are easy to reach chargers for electronic devices, and the dashboard has nothing but a screen and speakers.

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Waymo is already offering autonomous ride-hailing services in Phoenix, Arizona, and in San Fransisco, California, using specially prepared vehicles based on the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and the Jaguar I-Pace EV respectively.

As reported by Automotive News, the collaboration will benefit both parties since Waymo will be able to expand its ride-hailing services while the newly established Zeekr will get lots of exposure in the US. Waymo didn’t give us specific dates on the introduction of the Zeekr vehicles but said that they will arrive on US roads “in the years to come”.