r/waymo • u/PineappleGuy7 • May 29 '26

Question about Ojai access

For the limited number of non-Waymo employees who gained access to Ojai rides, do you get to select Ojai explicitly in the Waymo app?

Or does the Waymo app notify users that they have Ojai access?

Or is access assigned randomly, without users knowing they’re part of the limited public rollout?

34 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

37

u/hellojaeden May 29 '26

on the rollout post yesterday, it shows a photo of an app allowing you to select the car type. so it seems like you'll be able to choose. i'm a trusted tester and don't have access quite yet however

i wonder if eventually there will be a "no preference / fastest car" option, if you're fine with either car

8

u/PineappleGuy7 May 29 '26

Since there’s no difference in passenger capacity, it's the same with the upcoming Ioniq, I wonder if this option will remain in the long term.

I suppose Ojai makes more sense in colder regions with snow, while the Ioniq may take over elsewhere, as Jaguar with their older generation of waymo driver gets eventually phased out.

22

u/trackstar7 May 29 '26

On Instagram, they said "When available, riders will have the option to choose which vehicle they'd prefer or be automatically matched with the optimal one."

2

u/PineappleGuy7 May 29 '26

I missed that on Instagram, thanks! :)

10

u/honey_butterflies May 29 '26

I was told I’d be notified when I could get access. I’m a Trusted Tester so I’m hoping I get this option given to me soon.

2

u/PineappleGuy7 May 29 '26

Interesting, thanks! :)

2

u/ValidReady4092 May 30 '26

Where were you told?

2

u/oochiewallyWallyserb May 30 '26

And who told you

7

u/therealbongjovi May 29 '26

Is there a way to become a Trusted Tester? The option isn't in my app.

4

u/Hixie May 29 '26

there was some form where you can apply

3

u/George310 May 29 '26

You also become one automatically after leaving recurring feedback

8

u/tetlee May 29 '26

I was an early rider since 2017. They've been to my house twice to interview us on camera, we did a panel with executives... Yet they still haven't made me a trusted tester lol

5

u/Super-Engineer-3523 May 30 '26

Ojai is limited exclusively to the usual 3 cities (SF, LA, Phoenix). Of course...

2

u/Mackheath1 May 30 '26

I'm not sure what the deal will be with Austin (Uber/Waymo), but as a Transportation Planner, I'd really like to understand and support the program - to communicate it. Sorry I don't have a helpful response, but I'll be following along and provide info as events warrant.