An article summarized by TechCrunch:
Alphabet’s self-driving car company, Waymo, is expanding into Canada after receiving approval to participate in Ontario’s automated vehicle pilot program. The company will begin operations in Toronto by having human drivers map local streets and build detailed high-definition maps. Waymo will then test its autonomous vehicles on public roads with safety operators behind the wheel before eventually removing them and inviting the public to ride in its robotaxis. However, the company has not announced a launch date for commercial service in Toronto.
The expansion is part of Waymo’s aggressive push into new markets as it scales its robotaxi business internationally. The company has grown from operating in just three commercial markets two years ago to offering robotaxi services in 15 U.S. cities, while also testing its technology in London and Tokyo. Toronto presents a new challenge because of its harsh winter weather, which will test whether Waymo’s autonomous driving technology can reliably handle snow, ice and other difficult road conditions.
To support its Toronto operations, Waymo has partnered with local company Element Fleet Management to manage its vehicle fleet and expects the expansion to support hundreds of jobs. Potential roles include vehicle maintenance, driving for testing and validation, customer service and operational support. The move marks another step in Waymo’s effort to establish a global robotaxi network, while demonstrating whether its technology can operate safely and effectively in different climates and urban environments.
