Waymo has just unveiled a new van that it plans to introduce to its fleet one day. It is being built in collaboration with Zeekr, a brand under the Geely empire.
First impressions of the exterior are good, as we immediately got VW ID.Buzz vibes from its friendly shape and proportions. This Waymo Zeekr bus is planned to be fully electric, but range or power specifications are not available as of today.
Rather than driver-focused specs, Waymo and Zeekr have provided details and a quick look at the interior. After all, the whole point of the van is to drive it, not drive it. You’ll notice that there are two sliding doors that open opposite each other, revealing a pillarless entrance for easy loading and unloading. The floor itself is completely flat for maximum convenience. The van-like proportions provide plenty of leg and headroom, and the seats are also adjustable to your preference. Passenger amenities include a plethora of ports for charging and a screen to press where you want to go.
Zeekr says the vehicle was designed from the outset as a driver-centric car, but it will still offer two cabin options. One has a traditional steering wheel and pedals, the other does not. There is no timetable for when the driverless version will come.
There’s no timeline for anything to do with the vans, even beyond “in the next few years.” Zeekr will develop the van at its R&D facility in Gothenburg, Sweden, and then Waymo will take delivery in the US and adapt its “Waymo Driver” technology to allow the van to drive autonomously. In fact, don’t expect these to appear nationwide anytime soon.
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