Waymo is set to make its way to Toronto, a move that comes with challenges due to the city’s snowy conditions. Experts believe that overcoming these challenges will require time and extensive training data.
The U.S.-based company announced its plan to start testing the streets of Toronto with drivers present in the upcoming days for mapping and safety validation purposes. Waymo aims to introduce driverless cab services by 2028 in the city.
To ensure the technology can adapt to Toronto’s unique driving conditions, tests will be conducted around the clock every day of the week. Steven Waslander, a professor at the University of Toronto, highlighted that the key challenge is Toronto’s winter climate, which Waymo hasn’t tackled commercially yet.
Waymo initially launched its autonomous driving services in cities with warmer climates like Los Angeles and Phoenix, avoiding regions with heavy precipitation. Adverse weather, such as snow, presents additional hurdles for autonomous cars as it affects their camera, radar, and lidar systems used for navigation.
Krzysztof Czarnecki, an engineering professor at the University of Waterloo, explained that weather conditions like snow can obstruct sensors, impacting the detection capabilities of autonomous systems. Additionally, changes in driver behavior during snowy conditions can confuse autonomous vehicles.
Adapting autonomous vehicles to handle such challenges requires thorough testing and refinement in various environments. Some autonomous cars in Canada currently avoid poor weather conditions, including heavy rain or snow.
Waymo has been actively testing its technology in snowy regions like upstate New York and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The company also operates in cities with colder climates such as Denver, Minneapolis, and Detroit, accumulating significant driving experience in snowy conditions to enhance its system’s adaptability.
Despite progress, Waymo acknowledges the need for more winter driving data to improve its technology further. The company utilizes various strategies, such as heaters and windshield wipers on cameras, to ensure clear visibility during inclement weather.
Looking ahead, Waymo plans to continue expanding its operations in snowy markets to gather more data. As the company prepares to launch its services in Toronto by 2028, it aims to address and resolve winter-related challenges through ongoing developments and testing.
