Waymo, the renowned American self-driving technology company, is gearing up to introduce its successful robotaxi service in Canada.
Officials from the California-based tech giant announced their interest in extending their autonomous ride-hailing service to key Canadian cities. In a statement to CityNews, spokesperson Ethan Teicher emphasized Waymo’s global aspirations and ongoing engagement with Canadian authorities to pave the way for the future launch of their fully automated ride-hailing service in the country.
As a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, Waymo presently offers its robotaxi service in select urban areas across the United States, with plans to expand to 12 major cities, primarily in regions with milder climates to overcome weather-related challenges.
City of Toronto records show that Waymo’s co-CEO, Tekedra Mawakana, and two colleagues were recently registered as lobbyists to advocate for discussions on potential by-laws and regulations pertaining to autonomous driving technologies, encompassing operational approvals, commercial activities, goods delivery operations, and ride-hailing services.
While Waymo reported providing over 250,000 weekly rides in April, a leaked investor letter obtained by CNBC in December 2025 indicated a substantial surge in popularity, with weekly rides surpassing 450,000 in cities where the service is accessible.
In a parallel development, Tesla, the electric vehicle company led by billionaire Elon Musk, has also ventured into the robotaxi arena, launching a full commercial service in Austin, Texas, just last month.
Past experiences in Ontario with self-driving shuttle buses faced setbacks when a vehicle crashed into a tree in Durham Region, causing serious injuries to an on-board attendant and prompting officials to terminate the pilot project. However, Toronto has explored other initiatives involving autonomous vehicles, such as a 2025 pilot program to trial self-driving delivery vehicles.
The safety aspect of autonomous vehicle technology remains a focal point, particularly following the tragic 2018 incident involving the world’s first death linked to a self-driving car, where an Uber test vehicle struck and killed a woman in Tempe, Arizona.
