Self-Driving Cars Are Heading for Toronto Streets
Toronto just reached a big milestone on the road to driverless rides. Waymo, the self-driving taxi company owned by Google’s parent, Alphabet, announced on Friday, Oct. 16, that it’s officially coming to Canada, starting right here. You may spot its white vehicles around the city in the coming days, and the goal is to welcome the first riders in 2028.
What Happens Before You Can Hail One?
Mapping Comes First
Don’t expect empty driver’s seats just yet. Waymo says it’s taking a phased, safety-first approach, starting with high-definition mapping of local streets and testing with trained specialists behind the wheel. The company has been approved to take part in Ontario’s automated vehicle pilot program, which sets the rules for testing on public roads.
A Toronto Partner and Local Jobs
Waymo is teaming up with Toronto-headquartered Element Fleet Management, which will handle fleet maintenance, customer service and other support. The companies say they’ll add hundreds of roles over time, from validation driving to operations.
The Winter Question
Our winters will be a real test. Experts told CBC News that snow can block cameras and sensors, and that it’ll take time and more training data for the cars to adjust. Waymo describes its system, the Waymo Driver, as all-weather and points to more than 400 million fully autonomous kilometres driven in the cities where it already operates.
Safety Stays Front and Centre
Mayor Olivia Chow has said her biggest concern is keeping Torontonians safe and making sure autonomous vehicles are held to the highest standards, noting that the rules come from the province, not the city. Earlier this year, her office also said any move toward autonomous vehicles must not put people out of work. Waymo says it’s working with accessibility groups, including CNIB and BALANCE for Blind Adults, as it prepares.
Your Turn: Would You Ride in a Driverless Taxi?
Would you hop into a car with no one behind the wheel, or would you rather keep a human driver up front? Tell us in the comments, and keep an eye out for those white vehicles around town. Watch the reel to the end, too: name the spot in the comments to be entered in our next giveaway.
Watch the reel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DemLiazxmdG/