Driverless vehicles in Alberta? Company lobbying provincial government

Imagine hailing a ride from the airport and finding the vehicle you’re riding in has no driver. It’s a vision one American company hopes to turn into reality and is lobbying the Alberta government to allow.

The driverless ride hailing firm Waymo confirms they’re reaching out to officials across the country as they seek to expand globally.

The City of Calgary confirms to CityNews that Waymo has expressed interest in operating in Calgary. The city adds that, following provincial approval, changes may be needed to its Vehicle-for-Hire bylaw that could pave the way for Waymo to operate

The City of Edmonton says Waymo hasn’t reached out to their Vehicle for Hire team yet.

Many Albertans whom CityNews spoke with are uncomfortable handing over the wheel to essentially a robot, saying they wouldn’t take such a ride.

“No, not at all,” said one resident while another added, “I don’t think they are developed well enough to trust that.”

Safety isn’t the only concern.

Taxi driver Eden Kahssay says, “I think about my job as well being replaced. I think most people here, they are looking for affordable ways to have car service.”

Waymo currently operates in over a dozen cities, including Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Denver, with the company currently testing their vehicles in Toronto.

The company says they have been rigorously testing their fleet in the “snowiest winter conditions” in the U.S., and their vehicles are equipped with an automated cleaning system to allow their sensors to remain clear during inclement weather.

Waymo also claims their vehicles are 10 times safer than the average human driver.

And another resident CityNews spoke with gives the driver-less vehicles his approval.

“I think they are very safe. I’ve used them before, and they’re pretty cool to actually be in them.”

In a statement to CityNews, Alberta Transportation said they don’t comment on specific proposals under review, but they are considered on a case-by-case basis.

The province says it is reviewing how other jurisdictions have approached autonomous vehicles and are working with the feds along with other provincial and territorial governments on a potential framework.

Meanwhile, an expert in the field from the University of Calgary says while Waymo can be deployed in winter weather conditions, he’s advising caution with such vehicles.

“AI systems have to learn, extrapolate experiences today, what it’s going to experience tomorrow. In many cases when they are deployed for the first time the system will have to continue learning,” says Alex Ramirez-Serrano of UVS Robotarium Robotics Lab.