Waymo, the self-driving car division of Alphabet, is set to expand its operations into Canada following the approval to join Ontario’s automated vehicle pilot program. However, the company is not yet ready to launch a robotaxi service. Waymo typically adopts a consistent approach when entering new markets, starting with manual mapping, progressing to testing, and ultimately offering a commercial service.
In a blog post released on Friday, Waymo announced that its self-driving vehicles will initially be manually operated in Toronto to develop high-definition maps of the local street network. Subsequently, the company plans to test its autonomous vehicles on public roads, with a human safety operator present in each vehicle. Eventually, these operators will be removed from the driver’s seat, paving the way for public rides in its robotaxis.
This expansion into Canada is part of Waymo’s aggressive strategy to penetrate new markets, which has been gaining momentum. Two years ago, the company was active in only three commercial markets, and its robotaxis had yet to operate on freeways. The expansion initiative began in March 2025 with a deployment in Austin, followed by Atlanta. Currently, Waymo offers robotaxi services in 15 U.S. cities and is also conducting tests in London and Tokyo.
Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo, stated that the entry into Canada represents a significant milestone in the company’s global expansion. Toronto is notable as it is the northernmost and potentially the most wintry city where Waymo has attempted to operate, presenting unique challenges for its autonomous vehicle technology and operational expertise.
As part of its rapid expansion strategy, Waymo has begun collaborating with third-party companies to manage its fleet in each city. In Toronto, the company has partnered with Element Fleet Management, a local firm, and anticipates creating hundreds of jobs in areas such as fleet maintenance, validation driving, customer service, and operations.
