Self-driving project cancelled as supplier folds

Toronto’s self-driving shuttle program has been cancelled after the manufacturer supplying the vehicles shut down earlier this month — the final blow to a pilot project that had not even begun to transport passengers.

“The city, TTC and Metrolinx have jointly agreed to conclude the trial in Toronto due to several reasons that are expected to continue delaying service to the public past the Feb. 28, 2022 planned end date,” according to a city press release on Friday.

Local Motors, the U.S.-based manufacturing company engaged in pilot projects around the world — including in Toronto and Whitby — shut down Jan. 14, according to senior staff. The company has not released an official public statement.

The city of Toronto also noted that the provincial ministry of transport had suspended the shuttle’s operating licence following a serious collision involving a similar vehicle in Whitby.

On Dec. 16, the operator of an automated shuttle collided with a tree. The 23-year-old safety attendant was taken to hospital in critical condition, but has since been released.

Durham Region Police later confirmed that the vehicle was in manual mode at the time of the collision and that its hazard mitigation safety systems, typically enabled in autonomous mode, were disengaged.

Following the incident, the pilot projects in Toronto and Whitby were placed on hold and had not resumed operations.

According to the city of Toronto, the automated vehicles could seat up to eight passengers. The shuttle could travel at speeds up to 20 km/h when in autonomous mode or 40 km/h in manual mode.

Despite the setbacks, TTC spokesperson Stuart Green said the transit agency is still “committed to looking at any innovative, sustainable and accessible solutions that enhance the public transit experience. That’s been one of our corporate objectives.”