Waymo has confirmed it will start testing its driverless ride-hailing service in Toronto, its first Canadian city, with a public launch planned for 2028, MobileSyrup reports via BlogTO.
Waymo describes a phased rollout:
- Mapping: high-definition maps of Toronto’s streets.
- Supervised testing: with trained specialists behind the wheel.
- Driverless service: only once those stages are complete.
Waymo says it will adapt to local conditions, including snow, streetcars stopping in mixed traffic, and cyclists. Toronto-based Element Fleet Management will manage the fleet and plans to invest in hundreds of local jobs.
“Expanding into Canada marks an important milestone in Waymo’s global journey,” said co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana.
Still unannounced: fleet size, vehicles, and the provincial and municipal approvals Waymo will need. Its lobbyists first pitched Toronto City Hall in 2025.
Why it matters: Toronto’s winters, streetcars and cyclists make it a serious test for a driverless service. If it works here, the rest of Canada looks a lot more realistic. The open questions are local: how Ontario and the city regulate it, what happens to ride-hail and taxi drivers, and whether the service eventually reaches beyond downtown.
