Singapore autonomous vehicle (AV) sector is preparing for a significant expansion as the government intensifies efforts to integrate driverless technology into the public transport network.
Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow, speaking on 27 June, underlined the potential of AVs to supplement existing public bus services and alleviate mounting manpower pressures. As part of this initiative, new trials will begin in Punggol from the fourth quarter of 2025. These trials will feature AVs operating at controlled speeds with onboard safety officers, reinforcing Singapore’s safety-first approach to autonomous mobility.
Among the companies leading this push is WeRide, which currently operates a shuttle service at Resorts World Sentosa. The service, which covers a 1.2-kilometre route, transports approximately 100 passengers daily. Its driverless bus leverages a sophisticated sensor suite including LiDAR technology — capable of detecting objects up to 200 metres away — and onboard cameras that classify objects such as motorcyclists, vehicles, and pedestrians within a 100-metre range.
Before receiving regulatory clearance for deployment, each vehicle undergoes extensive testing along designated routes with a safety operator present, the company confirmed.
Sebastian Yee, Director of Business Development at WeRide Singapore, noted that while AV technology is progressing rapidly worldwide, regulatory frameworks must evolve to facilitate more agile adoption. “With that, we can talk about how to commercialise it together with the site owner and transport service provider. Once this is overcome, you will see the entire adoption process becoming much faster and smoother,” he said.
WeRide plans to extend its services beyond Sentosa to other locations including Jurong Island. Yee added that autonomous buses offer a promising solution to the shortage of public bus drivers in Singapore.
Meanwhile, fellow AV operator Moovita is also eyeing expansion but highlighted the need for more streamlined regulatory approvals, while maintaining safety standards.
Ken Chan, Vice President at Moovita, acknowledged the necessity of current testing protocols but cautioned that approval timelines can become a bottleneck, especially when deploying a larger fleet. “If it’s one vehicle, maybe not so bad. It may take a few weeks or a few months. But if I have a sizeable fleet, the time taken to test every vehicle becomes a challenge,” he said.
Chan also pointed to existing infrastructure limitations, noting that driverless buses would benefit from dedicated lanes to avoid disruptions caused by unpredictable human drivers. He emphasised that many roads — due to their width, traffic density or ongoing construction — are not yet ideal for AV deployment. In addition, the reliability of internet connectivity remains a critical factor for ensuring smooth operations.
Moovita currently operates three driverless buses that serve routes connecting Ngee Ann Polytechnic with King Albert Park and Clementi MRT stations. The vehicles, which carry up to 16 seated passengers, run at intervals of 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic, and continue to operate with safety personnel onboard during trials.
As Singapore charts a path toward a more automated public transport future, both regulatory reform and infrastructure enhancement will be pivotal in enabling AV operators to scale their services and meet national mobility goals.
-CNA
