Alphabet’s Waymo has officially crossed a new frontier in autonomous mobility. As of February 12, 2026, the company has begun fully autonomous operations with its 6th-generation Waymo Driver.
This latest iteration isn’t just a minor upgrade; it represents a fundamental shift from experimental technology to a high-volume, cost-optimized production system. Initially launching with employee trips in San Francisco and Los Angeles, the 6th-gen system is the “primary engine” for Waymo’s massive 2026 expansion blitz.
Streamlined Hardware: Doing More with Less
The biggest technical leap in the 6th generation is the reduction in hardware complexity. While the 5th-gen system (found on the Jaguar I-Pace) utilized 29 cameras and 5 Lidars, the 6th-gen system significantly streamlines this while actually increasing perception range and resolution.
| Feature | 5th-Gen (Jaguar I-Pace) | 6th-Gen (Zeekr/Hyundai) |
| Total Cameras | 29 | 13 |
| Lidar Sensors | 5 | 4 |
| Radar Sensors | 6 | 6 |
| Primary Imager | Standard HD | 17 Megapixel |
| Detection Range | ~300 Meters | Up to 500 Meters |
Key Hardware Highlights:
- 17MP Imaging Suite: These high-resolution sensors capture millions of data points, allowing the car to “see” with incredible clarity even in deep shadows or when hit by high-beam glares.
- Enhanced “EARs”: Strategic placement of External Audio Receivers (EARs) allows the vehicle to localize emergency sirens and railroad crossings more accurately while filtering out high-speed wind noise.
- All-Weather Resilience: The 6th-gen system features advanced sensor cleaning and thermal stability, enabling reliable operation in extreme winter weather, heavy rain, and fog.
Designed for Scale and Global Reach
Unlike previous generations that were retrofitted onto existing luxury SUVs, the 6th-gen Driver is built for integration into purpose-built platforms like the Zeekr Ojai (formerly known as the Zeekr RT) and the Hyundai IONIQ 5.
Waymo’s factory in Metro Phoenix is now scaling toward a production capacity of tens of thousands of units per year, signaling an end to the “bespoke” era of robotaxis.
2026: The Year of the Expansion Blitz
The efficiency and lower cost of the 6th-gen hardware are fueling Waymo’s most aggressive growth phase to date. With over 200 million fully autonomous miles logged, Waymo is moving beyond its current strongholds:
- Current Service Cities: Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, Atlanta, and Miami.
- New 2026 Targets: Nashville (recently went driverless), Las Vegas, San Diego, Denver, Dallas, and Houston.
- International Horizon: Waymo has confirmed plans to launch in London later this year, followed by Tokyo.
“By leveraging breakthroughs in AI and validating the system through our rigorous safety framework, we can now accelerate our journey to the road with unprecedented velocity.” — Satish Jeyachandran, Waymo VP of Engineering.
