Autonomous vehicle (AV) deployment in Singapore is poised for a dramatic acceleration following key regulatory approval from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) by global autonomous driving technology leader WeRide and Southeast Asia’s leading superapp, Grab.
The LTA has granted the partners approval to conduct expanded AV testing with their entire Ai.R (Autonomously Intelligent Ride) fleet within the Punggol district.
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This approval marks a significant step forward, enabling WeRide and Grab to scale up their AV testing program substantially. Having commenced Punggol’s first AV testing in mid-October 2025, the companies now plan to increase the total number of AV test runs on its shuttle service routes by up to four times by the end of the year.
The extensive testing is necessary preparation for the launch of the Ai.R public autonomous ride service. Ai.R is expected to begin carrying its first batch of public passengers by early 2026, establishing Punggol as Singapore’s first residential neighbourhood with an autonomous shuttle service.
Fleet and operational rigour
The Ai.R service, operated by Grab in partnership with WeRide, comprises an 11-vehicle fleet: ten GXRs (equipped with five passenger seats) and one Robobus (eight passenger seats).
The shuttle service will operate on two dedicated routes, connecting Punggol residents to key local amenities, including the Punggol Coast MRT station, the Punggol Coast Mall bus interchange, regional malls, and clinics.
During the AV test runs, the vehicles are engineered to gather and meticulously analyse real-world data to localise their AI driving models. This data accumulation focuses heavily on understanding road infrastructure, traffic flows, and the nuanced behaviours of local road users and pedestrians. To ensure reliability in Singapore’s tropical environment, the AVs are specifically trained to handle diverse weather conditions, including intense sun glare and sudden rain.
The technical calibration efforts are rigorous. The AVs continuously refine their precision driving capabilities, which include honing smooth acceleration and deceleration, executing precise turn timing, and maintaining optimal distance from obstacles. They are also trained to master complex urban scenarios, such as safely navigating tight turns on narrow residential roads and in carparks while maintaining required safety clearance from surrounding objects and pedestrians.
Equipped with an advanced sensor suite featuring LiDARs and cameras, the GXRs and Robobus possess 360-degree vision. This allows the vehicles to “see” up to 200 metres in every direction and detect objects even when conditions are challenging, such as during rainfall, ensuring prompt and dynamic responses to hazards.
Building local talent
Crucially, the partners are simultaneously building the necessary human support for the service. GrabAcademy, Grab’s training institution, and WeRide are training an initial cohort of more than 10 experienced Grab driver-partners to transition into specialised Safety Operator roles.
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Following theory lessons and closed-circuit practical training, this first cohort has now progressed to on-the-road training. Safety Operators will remain onboard the AVs at all times throughout the testing and initial phase of public rides, providing crucial real-time supervision.
WeRide, a leader in the autonomous driving industry, holds autonomous driving permits in seven markets. Grab, founded in 2012, operates across eight Southeast Asian countries, serving over 800 cities in the mobility, deliveries, and digital financial services sectors.
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