Waymo has officially launched its Zeekr vans in the new markets of Denver and Seattle, marking a significant step in the company’s ongoing expansion of its autonomous vehicle services across the United States. Starting this week, Waymo will deploy both its Jaguar I-Pace SUVs and Zeekr vans in these cities, initially with manual drivers before transitioning to autonomous operations as regulatory approvals permit[1].
This expansion into Denver and Seattle is notable because th...
This expansion into Denver and Seattle is notable because these cities present challenging weather conditions—snow, wind, and rain—that provide a rigorous testing environment for Waymo’s autonomous driving technology. Unlike the warmer and drier climates of previous markets such as Phoenix, these extreme weather conditions will help Waymo refine its systems to operate safely and reliably in more diverse environments[1].
Waymo's Zeekr vans, known as the Zeekr RT, are purpose-built...
Waymo's Zeekr vans, known as the Zeekr RT, are purpose-built electric vehicles equipped with advanced autonomous driving technology powered by NVIDIA DRIVE Thor processors. These vehicles feature an array of sensors, including 13 cameras, four lidar units, six radar units, and external audio receivers, enabling sophisticated perception and navigation capabilities essential for safe robotaxi operation[2][3]. The Zeekr RT model is part of a broader partnership with Chinese automaker Zeekr, which has been supplying Waymo with mass-produced EVs designed specifically for autonomous ride-hailing services[3].
Waymo plans to begin offering fully autonomous robotaxi ride...
Waymo plans to begin offering fully autonomous robotaxi rides in Denver by next year and aims to launch similar services in the Seattle metropolitan area as soon as it obtains the necessary regulatory permissions. This launch complements Waymo’s growing commercial fleet, which recently surpassed 2,000 robotaxis nationwide, including significant presences in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta. Additionally, Waymo has announced plans to expand robotaxi services to Dallas, Miami, and Washington, D.C., by next year and has received permits to start testing in New York City later in 2025[1][4].
The deployment of the Zeekr vans in Denver and Seattle is su...
The deployment of the Zeekr vans in Denver and Seattle is supported by Waymo’s manufacturing partnership with Magna at its Metro Phoenix facility, which enables the cost-efficient production and integration of the latest sixth-generation Waymo Driver autonomous technology. This facility is designed to scale production to tens of thousands of vehicles annually, facilitating Waymo’s ambition to rapidly grow its robotaxi fleet across multiple vehicle platforms[5].
In summary, Waymo’s launch of Zeekr vans in Denver and Seatt...
In summary, Waymo’s launch of Zeekr vans in Denver and Seattle signifies a major milestone in the company’s strategy to expand autonomous ride-hailing services into new and challenging markets. The combination of advanced vehicle technology, strategic manufacturing capabilities, and targeted market expansion positions Waymo to further lead the autonomous mobility industry in the coming years.
🔄 Updated: 9/2/2025, 9:10:41 PM
Waymo's launch of Zeekr vans in Denver and Seattle marks a strategic move to test autonomous technology in challenging weather conditions, with plans to start robotaxi services in Denver by 2026 and Seattle pending regulatory approval[1]. Experts highlight Zeekr’s advanced autonomous platform, featuring 13 cameras, four lidars, and six radars, backed by NVIDIA’s DRIVE AGX Thor chip, making it the first mass-produced purpose-built autonomous vehicle[2][4]. Industry views emphasize this partnership as a significant step ahead of competitors like Tesla, combining Zeekr’s cutting-edge EV tech with Waymo’s autonomous driving expertise for broader commercial rollout[2].
🔄 Updated: 9/2/2025, 9:20:41 PM
Waymo has launched its Zeekr RT electric vans in Denver and Seattle, initially deploying manually driven vehicles before activating full autonomous robotaxi service next year, pending regulatory approval[1]. These Zeekr RT vans are equipped with advanced sensor arrays including 13 cameras, 4 lidars, 6 radars, and external audio receivers, powered by Zeekr's Nvidia Drive AGX Thor-based intelligent driving domain controller, marking the first mass-produced EV purpose-built for autonomous driving[2][4]. This expansion enables Waymo to test and refine its sixth-generation self-driving technology under challenging weather conditions like snow and wind, aiming to advance robotaxi capabilities in extreme environments and further scale its national fleet beyond 2,000 vehicles
🔄 Updated: 9/2/2025, 9:30:41 PM
Waymo has launched its Zeekr RT electric vans equipped with the sixth-generation Waymo Driver system in Denver and Seattle, marking its first tests in challenging weather conditions like snow, rain, and wind[1]. The Zeekr RT features NVIDIA DRIVE Thor-based smart driver domain controller technology and is built in Waymo's new U.S. factory that can scale production to tens of thousands annually, enabling rapid deployment and fleet expansion with the capability to carry passengers within 30 minutes after factory completion[2][4]. This expansion aims to begin fully autonomous robotaxi services in Denver by 2026 and in Seattle once regulatory approval is granted, testing Waymo’s advanced autonomy in more extreme environments beyond its existing markets[1].
🔄 Updated: 9/2/2025, 9:40:41 PM
Waymo has launched its Zeekr RT electric vans in Denver and Seattle, initially deploying them with manual drivers while preparing to activate its sixth-generation Waymo Driver autonomous system in these challenging weather environments by next year[1]. The Zeekr RT, built with NVIDIA DRIVE Thor-powered smart driver domain controllers, represents a cutting-edge, purpose-built autonomous EV platform designed to enhance operational efficiency and safety in varied conditions including snow, wind, and rain[2]. This expansion leverages Waymo’s advanced U.S. manufacturing facility in Mesa, Arizona, capable of producing tens of thousands of vehicles annually with rapid deployment, enabling new fleets to be passenger-ready within 30 minutes post-assembly, underscoring significant scale and speed improvements for robotax
🔄 Updated: 9/2/2025, 9:50:42 PM
Waymo has launched its Zeekr RT vans in Denver and Seattle, marking a strategic expansion into cities with challenging weather conditions such as snow, wind, and rain to rigorously test its autonomous driving technology[1]. These vehicles feature the NVIDIA DRIVE Thor-based smart driver domain controller, integrating the latest 6th-generation Waymo Driver system from the U.S.-based manufacturing plant in Mesa, Arizona, which enables rapid deployment—vehicles can pick up passengers within 30 minutes of factory exit in Phoenix or within hours after shipping to other cities[2][3]. This rollout not only diversifies Waymo's fleet beyond the Jaguar I-Pace SUV but also underscores scalability efforts with automated assembly lines designed to support tens of thousands of fully autonomous vehicles annually
🔄 Updated: 9/2/2025, 10:00:42 PM
Waymo has launched its Zeekr vans, alongside Jaguar I-Pace SUVs, in new markets Denver and Seattle starting this week, marking a strategic expansion into cities with more extreme weather conditions. The vehicles will initially be manually driven as Waymo prepares to begin autonomous robotaxi services in Denver next year and in Seattle as soon as regulatory permissions are granted. This expansion follows Waymo’s announcement of operating over 2,000 robotaxis nationwide, continuing its push to broaden its commercial fleet and test autonomous tech across diverse environments[1].
🔄 Updated: 9/2/2025, 10:10:41 PM
Waymo's launch of Zeekr vans in Denver and Seattle intensifies competition in the U.S. robotaxi market by expanding its already large fleet beyond major hubs like San Francisco (800 vehicles) and Los Angeles (500 vehicles) to two new challenging weather cities. This move leverages Zeekr's advanced sensor suite and Nvidia DRIVE AGX Thor-powered autonomy, positioning Waymo ahead of rivals like Tesla in deploying mass-produced, purpose-built robotaxis with over 2,000 vehicles nationwide currently in service[1][2][4]. Waymo expects to start autonomous rides in Denver next year and in the Seattle metro area pending regulatory approval, signaling aggressive geographic scaling amid a crowded field.
🔄 Updated: 9/2/2025, 10:20:40 PM
Waymo's launch of Zeekr vans in Denver and Seattle marks a strategic expansion into challenging weather markets to rigorously test its autonomous technology, with robotaxi services planned to begin as early as next year in Denver and pending permits in Seattle[1]. Industry experts highlight the significance of Zeekr’s partnership with Waymo, as the Zeekr RT vans—equipped with NVIDIA DRIVE Thor processors and a sophisticated sensor suite including 13 cameras, 4 lidars, and 6 radars—represent one of the first mass-produced, purpose-built robotaxis, giving Waymo a technological edge over competitors like Tesla[3][2]. Ryan McNamara, Waymo’s VP of Operations, emphasizes the importance of its new
🔄 Updated: 9/2/2025, 10:30:41 PM
Consumer and public reaction to Waymo’s launch of Zeekr vans in Denver and Seattle is cautiously optimistic, with anticipation building for the robotaxi service expected to start next year in Denver and pending permission in Seattle[1]. Early adopters in these cities express excitement about testing autonomous vehicles in challenging weather conditions like snow and rain, viewing it as a major step forward for driverless technology in diverse environments[1]. Waymo’s existing users, who already experience a fleet of over 2,000 robotaxis nationwide, including 800 in San Francisco and 500 in Los Angeles, have generally praised the Zeekr vans for their advanced sensor technology and comfortable design, boosting confidence in the new deployment[1][2].
🔄 Updated: 9/2/2025, 10:40:41 PM
Waymo has launched its Zeekr-made autonomous vans in Denver and Seattle, initially deploying manually driven vehicles before rolling out robotaxi services as regulatory approvals allow, with Denver service expected as early as next year[1]. These vans are equipped with Waymo’s 6th-generation Driver technology, integrated in a new U.S. manufacturing facility that enables rapid scaling and deployment, allowing vehicles to begin passenger service less than 30 minutes after factory completion in Phoenix, and within hours after reaching other city depots[3]. The Zeekr RT vans leverage advanced hardware including NVIDIA DRIVE Thor-based smart driver domain controllers, supporting complex autonomous operations in challenging weather environments like snow and rain prevalent in these new markets[2][1].
🔄 Updated: 9/2/2025, 10:50:41 PM
Waymo’s launch of Zeekr vans in Denver and Seattle marks a strategic move to test autonomous vehicle technology in challenging weather conditions like snow and rain, with hopes to begin robotaxi services in Denver by next year and Seattle soon after regulatory approval[1]. Industry experts highlight the significance of Zeekr’s state-of-the-art electric vehicles, equipped with NVIDIA DRIVE Thor-based autonomous driving systems, designed to handle complex driving scenarios using 13 cameras, four lidar units, and six radar units[2][3]. Ryan McNamara, Waymo’s VP of Operations, emphasized that their U.S. manufacturing plant in Metro Phoenix enhances cost efficiency and scalability, enabling faster deployment of these vehicles into service within hours of factory delivery—cru
🔄 Updated: 9/2/2025, 11:00:44 PM
Waymo's launch of Zeekr-made autonomous vans in Denver and Seattle marks a significant advancement in the global autonomous vehicle market, showcasing U.S. manufacturing collaboration with Chinese EV maker Zeekr. This expansion, part of a growing U.S. fleet now exceeding 2,000 robotaxis, underscores international cooperation in cutting-edge EV and autonomous technologies, with Denver and Seattle chosen for their challenging weather conditions to rigorously test the tech[1][2][3]. Industry observers note this move will likely accelerate global adoption of autonomous EV fleets, reflecting a broader trend of cross-border partnerships pushing sustainable, safe urban mobility worldwide.
🔄 Updated: 9/2/2025, 11:10:42 PM
Waymo has launched its Zeekr RT vans in Denver and Seattle, initially manually driven with plans to begin autonomous robotaxi service in Denver by 2026 and Seattle pending regulatory approval[1]. These Zeekr vans are equipped with advanced NVIDIA DRIVE Thor-based smart driver domain controllers featuring 13 cameras, 4 lidar units, 6 radar units, and external audio sensors, enabling them to handle complex urban environments and extreme weather conditions like snow, wind, and rain[1][2][3]. This deployment leverages Waymo’s new U.S.-based manufacturing facility in Phoenix, which integrates the 6th-generation Waymo Driver and can produce tens of thousands of autonomous vehicles annually, streamlining fleet scaling and enabling vehicles t
🔄 Updated: 9/2/2025, 11:20:42 PM
Waymo's launch of Zeekr vans in Denver and Seattle has drawn strong industry attention for its strategic approach to testing autonomous tech in extreme weather conditions, including snow and rain, not commonly experienced in Waymo's earlier markets like Phoenix[1]. Experts highlight this expansion as a critical step in proving the robustness of Waymo’s sensor suite and AI, which includes 13 cameras, lidar, radar, and audio sensors integrated with Nvidia’s Drive Thor system[3]. Ryan McNamara, Waymo’s VP of Operations, emphasized that their new U.S. manufacturing partnership with Magna and advanced integration capabilities position them to scale the fleet efficiently, aiming to reach over 2,000 autonomous vehicles nationwide next year[5].
🔄 Updated: 9/2/2025, 11:30:41 PM
Waymo’s launch of Zeekr vans in Denver and Seattle marks a strategic push into challenging weather markets, signaling the company’s intent to build a global autonomous ride-hailing empire capable of operating under snow, rain, and wind—conditions that have stymied competitors. This expansion, supported by Zeekr’s advanced AI and Nvidia Drive AGX Thor technology, is drawing significant international attention as it showcases scalable mass production of robotaxis, with Waymo’s fleet now exceeding 2,000 vehicles nationwide and poised for tens of thousands annually from its new American factory[1][2][3][4]. Industry experts note this move reinforces the U.S. lead in autonomous mobility while stirring interest and competitive pressure worldwide, especially in regions with similar