Waymo, the self-driving tech development unit of Google’s parent company Alphabet,  revealed a robotaxi prototype using Chinese automaker Geely’s “SEA-M” platform adapted from the latter’s all-electric five-door Zeekr to power its robotaxis. The release date of the robotaxi is yet to be announced, but Geely claims it will arrive “in the next few years.”

The cab has been modified in a way to maximize interior space and comes with rail-mounted front seats, a sliding infotainment touchscreen mounted on the dash, and additional touchscreens for rear passengers. The taxi does not include a steering wheel.

The vehicle is currently being tested at Geely’s facility in Gothenburg, Sweden. The vehicle tested is not equipped with LiDAR sensors, but has a human driver on board. 

Till the development is completed, Waymo will continue operations with its current fleet of robotaxis which is built on modified Jaguar I-Pace crossovers and Chrysler Pacifica minivans.

Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle technology arm, Waymo, focuses on both goods and passenger transportation. Its “Waymo One” division focuses on autonomous ride-hailing services while “Waymo Via” is dedicated to autonomous cargo transportation. The vehicles under both units are powered by “Waymo Driver,” its autonomous driving technology platform.

Analyst QuickTake: Waymo first partnered with Geely last December to develop electric autonomous robotaxis, with plans to retrofit the cars with the hardware and software necessary for autonomous driving.