WeRide, an autonomous driving technology company, is set to deploy its GXR and Robobus vehicles in Singapore through a collaboration with Grab.
This deployment will be part of Ai.R (Autonomously Intelligent Ride), Grab’s first autonomous vehicle (AV) service for the country.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has appointed Grab to operate autonomous vehicles along two designated routes in Punggol, a residential area in Singapore. The service will begin with a fleet of 11 vehicles, serving residents along fixed routes that connect key neighbourhoods, commercial areas, and transport hubs.
Both the five-seater GXR and eight-seater Robobus have completed Singapore’s Milestone 1 (M1) assessment, which evaluates a vehicle’s ability to operate safely on public roads in autonomous mode.
Each vehicle will carry a trained Grab Safety Operator during the initial deployment phase. These operators are experienced private-hire and taxi drivers who have completed specialised training provided by GrabAcademy and WeRide.
Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International of WeRide said:We are deploying our GXRs for the first time in Singapore and Southeast Asia, marking a regional milestone in urban transportation. This paves the way for WeRide to extend GXR passenger services to more communities. By integrating our AVs with the public transport network, WeRide aims to provide Singapore residents with a smarter, more seamless travel experience.
Ai.R vehicles use a combination of cameras and LiDAR sensors to detect objects up to 200 metres away, including in conditions of heavy rain. They are programmed to comply with traffic laws, signal before turning, and maintain safe lane changes.
They will operate along two fixed routes:
- West to East Route: Punggol Matilda Court → Punggol Clover → Punggol Plaza → Oasis Terraces
- West to North Route: Punggol Matilda Court → Punggol Clover → One Punggol (Sam Kee LRT) → Punggol Northshore → Punggol Coast Mall Bus Interchange
Passengers will be able to view shuttle schedules and track vehicles in real-time via the Grab app. All passengers are covered by Grab’s Personal Accident Insurance during trips, and a dedicated AV Customer Support team will be available throughout operational hours.
Alex Hungate, President and Chief Operating Officer of Grab said:We see the potential of autonomous vehicles to improve connectivity within underserved neighbourhoods in the near term. Together with our AV partners like WeRide, we are building a leading AV passenger fleet with a diverse range of vehicle models, to bring more transport options to the public.
