Waymo, the self-driving unit of Google parent Alphabet, has chosen Toronto as its first robotaxi market in Canada. It is targeting the launch of a paid autonomous ride-hailing service in 2028, but local regulatory preparations and validation for driving in extreme cold have emerged as key tasks.

Electrek, an electric vehicle outlet, recently reported that Waymo will start driving on Toronto roads within days. Initially, professional drivers will operate the vehicles to build high-definition maps. It will then validate its autonomous driving software with safety operators onboard. Toronto is the fourth market Waymo has announced outside the United States, following London, Tokyo and Singapore.

Local fleet operations will be supported by Element Fleet Management, which is headquartered in Toronto. Waymo said it expects hundreds of jobs to be created in the long term through vehicle maintenance, validation driving and customer service. The office of Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow (Olivia Chow) has previously stated it would not support autonomous services if they reduce jobs.

Waymo also highlighted that the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is a long-term investor and that Magna International is participating as a manufacturing partner. For initial test driving, it plans to deploy a small number of Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs and gradually expand the operating area.

The biggest obstacle to commercialisation is the legal framework. Ontario has allowed autonomous vehicle testing since 2016, and Waymo has also received approval to join the pilot programme. However, the current system does not allow paid, driverless taxi operations. The pilot rules are also due to be abolished in October 2027, requiring a separate legal basis ahead of commercialisation in 2028.

Toronto's heavy snow, freezing rain and road salt are also a test. Waymo claims it has carried out more than 400 million km of fully autonomous driving in the United States and had 95 percent fewer serious-injury-or-worse crashes than human drivers. It is currently providing more than 500,000 paid ride-hailing trips a week in the United States.

Waymo's success in entering Toronto is expected to hinge on proving safety in winter and on the provincial government putting in place rules for commercial operations.