The vehicles are starting by mapping the city whilst being driven manually. However, Ontario’s trial framework expires in October 2027 and there are as yet no regulations in place for a commercial service.
Waymo expands its robotaxis in Canada: Toronto becomes its fourth destination announced outside the United States, after London, Tokyo and Singapore. The first vehicles run in the coming days, driven by specialists responsible for mapping the streets and validating the software, before autonomous tests with safety operator. The aim is to accommodate the first passengers of the public in 2028. The fleet will be operated by Element Fleet Management, based in Toronto and already working with Waymo in San Diego; The company also highlights two Canadian partners, the CPP Investments pension fund and Magna equipment manufacturer. Waymo promises hundreds of jobs, a sensitive point: Mayor Olivia Chow warned that she would not support a service that would destroy jobs.
A regulatory gap to be filled
Ontario has allowed automated vehicle testing since 2016, and has not been a driver since 2019, but this pilot regime is scheduled to expire October 13, 2027 and does not provide for a pay transportation service. The Waymo calendar therefore depends on new provincial rules. The company claims more than 400 million kilometres in fully self-driving driving and more than 500,000 paid races per week in the United States; Toronto winters, after Denver, will test his system presented as "all time".
Read the full article on the original source
Go to the source →