WeRide and Grab have officially launched Singapore’s first autonomous public ride service in the Punggol district. The new Ai.R (Autonomously Intelligent Ride) service marks the first autonomous passenger service deployed within a residential estate in Singapore, allowing the public to experience driverless mobility in a real-world urban environment.
The rollout follows an extensive community engagement phase. Since January 2026, more than 1,000 passengers, including Punggol residents and community leaders, participated in trial rides and shared feedback that helped refine the service. During the testing phase, the Ai.R autonomous fleet safely completed over 30,000 kilometres of driverless operations.
Kerry Xu, General Manager of Singapore at WeRide, said the launch marks a significant milestone for autonomous mobility in the region. He noted that WeRide’s GXR autonomous vehicles are already operating as taxis in China, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, delivering safe and reliable point-to-point transport. He added that the company looks forward to bringing the same proven performance to Singapore while working closely with local authorities as operations scale and mature.
The launch represents a major step forward in autonomous urban mobility, with WeRide and Grab aiming to enhance convenience, safety, and efficiency in public transportation while accelerating the adoption of self-driving technology in Southeast Asia.
“Grab is delighted to be bringing the first autonomous vehicle service in a residential area to the public. This service is about more than just deploying state-of-the-art AVs, it is about building a future where technology and the community move forward together. By integrating autonomous rides into the daily lives of Punggol residents and upskilling Grab’s driver-partners into new roles, we are ensuring that the benefits of innovation are shared by all. We are excited to take this significant step toward a more seamless and sustainable transport ecosystem for Singapore,” said Alejandro Osorio, Managing Director of Grab Singapore.
Empowering driver-partners for new AV roles
As WeRide and Grab embark on the integration of AV technologies, their key focus has also been preparing the workforce for an autonomous future.
During the initial phase of public rides, Safety Operators will be onboard the AVs to help ensure a seamless journey. To date, 14 Grab driver-partners have successfully completed specialised training with WeRide and GrabAcademy to become certified Safety Operators and another batch of Grab driver-partners are currently undergoing training and assessments.
WeRide and GrabAcademy have also commenced Remote Operator training, where participants learn how to monitor the fleet remotely from the Ai.R Operations Command Centre.
Vincent Teo, a long-time Grab driver-partner who recently transitioned into the role of a Safety Operator, is now among the first participants in the Remote Operator programme. Sharing his experience, he said he is excited about progressing into Remote Operator training, describing the opportunity as a significant personal milestone. He added that when he first began his journey, he never imagined being involved at the forefront of such advanced technology and expressed pride in being part of the team helping bring the future of autonomous mobility to Singaporeans.
Ridhwan Wajib, a Grab driver-partner who recently took on the role of Safety Operator, said “It’s a privilege to be one of the first in this field. This role has been such an interesting journey that I’m constantly telling my loved ones all about it. More than anything, I’m looking forward to the moment my parents and my family step on board to experience this technology with me.”
Inviting the public to ride with Ai.R today
The public can register for rides on the Ai.R fleet via a dedicated reservation link on the Ai.R website (visit rideair.ai to reserve your ride). Designed in consultation with the community, the routes connect residents to key amenities and transport nodes.
During the public ride phase, passengers can select their preferred routes and timings:
- Operating hours: The Ai.R fleet operates on weekdays (Monday–Friday) from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
- Routes: Riders can choose between two full AV shuttle routes. A 20-minute “Mini Route” will also be offered for those looking for a shorter AV experience.
- Fares: Rides will be free till commercial service begins in mid-2026, allowing more passengers to share their feedback, as well as gathering insights into usage patterns, to help to fine-tune service and pricing standards for the introductory discounted fare.
