Brief
Waymo announces plan to launch autonomous ride‑hailing in Toronto by 2028
The California firm will start high‑definition mapping and create hundreds of jobs ahead of a public launch in 2028.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Waymo, the California‑based autonomous‑driving company, said on Oct. 16 that it will begin laying the groundwork for a fully driverless ride‑hailing service in Toronto, targeting a public launch in 2028.
What happened
Waymo announced that it has received approval under Ontario’s Automated Vehicle Pilot Program to conduct manual driving and testing in the province. The company will start high‑definition mapping of Toronto’s road network while collecting data on local traffic, weather and infrastructure. During this initial phase, trained autonomous specialists will remain behind the wheel.
What the reports add
The CityNews article notes that Waymo is partnering with Toronto‑based Element Fleet Management, which will oversee fleet operations. It also cites the company’s claim that the expansion will create "hundreds of jobs" in areas such as fleet maintenance, validation driving, customer service and operations. Waymo’s own data are quoted, stating that its vehicles have logged more than four million kilometres per week and that crashes involving serious injuries are 95 % lower than with human drivers.
What was said
Waymo described its system, the “Waymo Driver,” as combining cameras, radar, lidar and AI‑powered software to monitor surroundings up to three football fields away, even in low‑light or adverse weather. The company said the technology helps avoid collisions more effectively than an attentive human driver, citing a separate research study.
How it came about
Waymo already operates self‑driving taxis in more than 15 U.S. cities, providing over 500,000 paid trips each week since its 2020 public rollout. The Toronto effort builds on that experience, with the firm planning to invest in local facilities and operational infrastructure before the 2028 launch.
Key facts
- Waymo will begin high‑definition mapping of Toronto streets as part of a launch plan for 2028. (toronto.citynews.ca)
- Waymo has partnered with Element Fleet Management to oversee fleet operations in Toronto. (toronto.citynews.ca)
- The company expects the expansion to create hundreds of jobs in various support roles. (toronto.citynews.ca)
- Waymo reports its autonomous vehicles have 95 % fewer serious‑injury crashes than human drivers. (toronto.citynews.ca)
Sources
- [1] toronto.citynews.ca — originally reported as “Waymo eyes Toronto launch in 2028”
