Waymo Plans Autonomous Ride-Hailing Service Launch in Toronto
Waymo, a leading autonomous driving company based in California, is set to pave the way for fully autonomous ride-hailing services in Toronto by 2028. This move could make Toronto the first city in Canada to offer such services.
Under Ontario’s Automated Vehicle Pilot Program, Waymo has gained approval to kick off operations by conducting manual driving and testing. This initial phase will involve high-definition mapping of Toronto’s road network and data collection on local driving conditions, with trained autonomous specialists remaining at the wheel during testing.
Waymo aims to tailor its autonomous driving system, the “Waymo Driver,” to suit Toronto’s unique traffic patterns, road infrastructure, weather conditions, and urban landscape. To support its operations in the region, the company has partnered with Toronto-based Element Fleet Management.
The expansion is anticipated to bring significant job opportunities, including positions in fleet maintenance, validation driving, customer service, and operations. Waymo plans to invest in local facilities and infrastructure in preparation for the anticipated public launch in 2028.
Keyphrase: Autonomous Ride-Hailing Service Toronto
