Waymo, a leading autonomous ride-hailing company, has announced it will begin testing self-driving taxis in Toronto by 2028. The company, based in California, aims to launch its service in the Canadian city as part of its broader expansion strategy. The initial phase will involve data collection using manually driven vehicles before transitioning to fully autonomous operations.
The Ontario government has approved Waymo’s plans, allowing the company to proceed with its testing. Toronto is positioned to become the first Canadian city to offer fully autonomous ride-hailing services. Waymo will work with local partners, including Element Fleet Management, to handle vehicle charging and maintenance once the service launches.
Waymo has been expanding its operations beyond the United States, seeking new markets to scale its business. While the company remains unprofitable, it has secured significant funding to support its growth. The 2028 launch date marks a key milestone in its efforts to establish a presence in Canada. The testing phase will lay the groundwork for a full commercial service, with the goal of welcoming the first passengers in the specified timeframe.
