Waymo to Map Toronto Roads Ahead of Future Robotaxi Service

Waymo, Alphabet’s self‑driving car unit, has received approval to join Ontario’s automated vehicle pilot program. The company will start by manually driving its cars through Toronto to build high‑definition maps of the city’s streets. Once mapping is complete, the vehicles will be tested on public roads with a human safety operator in the driver’s seat. Eventually, the safety operator will be removed and the public will be invited to ride in the robotaxis.

Waymo’s move into Canada is part of a broader push to expand its robotaxi network. Two years ago it operated in only three commercial markets, and its cars had not yet driven on freeways. Since March 2025 it has launched services in Austin and Atlanta, and now has robotaxi operations in 15 U.S. cities while testing in London and Tokyo. The company’s co‑CEO Tekedra Mawakana said entering Canada is a key milestone, as Toronto is the northernmost, wintry market it has yet to try. Waymo has partnered with Toronto‑based Element Fleet Management to run its fleet locally, expecting to create hundreds of jobs in maintenance, validation driving, customer service and operations.