Waymo starts testing robotaxis in Toronto, aiming for first riders in 2028

Ontario has approved Waymo, a subsidiary of Google parent Alphabet, for the province's automated vehicle pilot program. The company aims to carry its first passengers in Toronto in 2028.

The rollout, step by step

• Manual mapping of the streets
• Tests with a safety driver on board
• Drivers taken out of the seat
• Rides open to the public

Testing begins this fall with high-definition street mapping, then test runs with a driver behind the wheel. The drivers are later removed and the public is invited to ride.

And us?

Waymo is partnering with Toronto-based Element Fleet Management for maintenance, customer service and other support, and expects to support hundreds of jobs.

Why it matters

Skeptics say self-driving cars struggle with heavy traffic and bad weather, and Toronto is the northernmost city Waymo has tried to operate in. The company runs robotaxi services in 15 US cities.