Waymo to Test Robotaxis in Toronto, Targets 2028 Passenger Launch

Waymo, the autonomous-driving unit of Google parent Alphabet, has received approval to take part in Ontario's Automated Vehicle Pilot Program, clearing the way for the company's first robotaxi operation in Canada. The company says it will begin testing on Toronto's streets this fall, with commercial passenger service planned for 2028, according to TechCrunch and Global News.

How the rollout will work

Waymo is following the phased approach it has used in U.S. cities. The first stage involves manually driving its vehicles through Toronto to build high-definition maps of local streets. The company will then run its autonomous system with a trained safety operator behind the wheel, before eventually removing that operator and, finally, opening the service to paying riders, CP24 and Global News reported.

Waymo's fleet in Toronto will consist of the company's distinctive white crossover SUVs, which will initially be driven manually by trained specialists before autonomous testing begins, according to CP24 and Global News. The vehicles are equipped with 13 cameras, six radar units and four lidar sensors — a sensor suite CP24 reported is more extensive than Tesla's driver-assistance systems, which use nine cameras and no radar or lidar.

Winter weather is the key test

TechCrunch reported that Toronto will be the northernmost and possibly the most wintry city Waymo has attempted to operate in so far. Among Waymo's more than a dozen U.S. deployments, Denver may be the only other city with significant snowfall, according to CP24.

Sidney Givigi, a robotics professor at Queen's University, told CP24 that snow and ice pose specific risks: "All the sensors can get occluded by snow... they don't have in California." Givigi also flagged concerns about icy roads and emergency braking on hills during blizzard conditions.

Waymo has cited its overall safety record in response to such concerns. The company says its vehicles have been involved in 95% fewer crashes causing serious injury or death compared with human drivers, based on more than 400 million fully autonomous kilometres driven, according to CP24.

Regulatory approval and local partnership

Ontario's government authorized Waymo's participation in the pilot program. Dakota Brasier, a spokesperson for Ontario's Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria, said the approval process requires a jobs plan setting out projected positions and hiring timelines, according to CP24.

For the Canadian launch, Waymo is partnering with Toronto-based Element Fleet Management, which will handle vehicle maintenance, customer service and other operational support. TechCrunch reported the partnership is expected to support hundreds of jobs over time across maintenance, validation driving, customer service and operations.

Waymo will not be the first autonomous vehicle operator under Ontario's pilot program. According to Global News, self-driving trucking company Gatik already deployed 50 autonomous box trucks for grocery retailer Loblaw in Toronto last year.

Part of a broader global expansion

Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana said the expansion into Canada marks an important milestone in the company's global journey, according to TechCrunch. The company currently operates robotaxi service in 15 U.S. cities and is testing operations in London and Tokyo — up from just three commercial markets two years ago, per TechCrunch. Responding to concerns about operating in complex environments, Mawakana said the company remains committed to safer streets and more accessible mobility, according to Global News.

Some observers remain cautious about the technology's readiness for complex environments. Global News noted that critics point to ongoing challenges autonomous vehicles face in heavy traffic and adverse weather, the exact conditions Toronto's winters are expected to provide.