Waymo is expanding into Canada. The Alphabet company has been approved for Ontario's automated vehicle pilot program, TechCrunch reports, and says in its own announcement that it wants to welcome its first riders in Toronto in 2028.
Don't expect a ride anytime soon, though. Waymo's cars will start showing up on Toronto streets "in the coming days," but driven by hand at first so the company can build high-definition maps. Testing with trained specialists behind the wheel comes next, and the public only gets in once the safety drivers are gone. Toronto-based Element Fleet Management will run the fleet, and Waymo says the two companies will add hundreds of jobs over time in maintenance, validation driving, customer service and operations.
Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana called Canada "an important milestone in Waymo's global journey." Toronto is also the northernmost city Waymo has tried, and its winters will be a real test. The company already runs robotaxi service in 15 U.S. cities and is testing in London and Tokyo.
— via TechCrunch