Waymo begins testing on Toronto streets ahead of a 2028 robotaxi launch
A Waymo vehicle was seen driving in downtown Toronto on Monday, Nov. 2, with a human driver behind the wheel, the Toronto Sun reports. Waymo announced Toronto as its first Canadian city on Oct. 16 and says it has an Ontario permit under the province's Automated Vehicle Pilot Program for manual driving and testing.
The cars are mapping streets with trained specialists driving. Waymo lists neighbourhoods from the Harbourfront and Liberty Village to Don Mills, says testing can run around the clock, and is starting with Jaguar I-PACE vehicles. Toronto's Element Fleet Management will handle fleet operations.
Why it matters
Waymo is aiming for fully driverless paid rides in 2028, pending permits. Mayor Olivia Chow's office told the Toronto Star she won't support Waymo if it costs jobs or drives down wages, and Beck Taxi's Kristine Hubbard has criticized the testing.
More on Waymo and robotaxis and self-driving vehicles.
About the footage: Human-driven: Waymo is mapping and testing Toronto with trained specialists behind the wheel; nothing is driverless yet.
The source post
Post by Toronto Star on X.
View the post on X
Sources
- Toronto Star (@TorontoStar) on X
- Toronto Sun: Waymo car spotted in Toronto, sparking concerns
- blogTO: Self-driving Waymo cars being spotted on Toronto streets as concerns mount
- Waymo blog: Hello Toronto! Waymo is en route
- Waymo: Waymo in Toronto FAQ
New to robots? Read our guide: How robots work: a beginner's guide.
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