WeRide and Grab launch autonomous ride service in Punggol

WeRide and Grab have opened Singapore’s first autonomous passenger service in a residential area, launching the Ai.R (Autonomously Intelligent Ride) service to the public in the Punggol district. The fleet uses WeRide’s GXR and Robobus autonomous vehicle (AV) models and has clocked 30,000km of autonomous mileage since a community trial began in January 2026, during which more than 1,000 passengers provided feedback.

The service operates on weekdays from 9:30am to 5:30pm across two dedicated shuttle routes, with a shorter 20-minute option also available. Rides are free until commercial operations begin in mid-2026. Safety operators are present onboard during the initial phase; 14 Grab driver-partners have been certified through specialist training with WeRide and GrabAcademy, with a further cohort currently undergoing assessment.

Remote operator training, based at the Ai.R Operations Command Centre, is also under way. Both companies are members of Singapore’s Steering Committee on Autonomous Vehicles and said the project moved from its first regulatory milestone assessment to full public operations in approximately seven months.

In a statement, Dr Kerry Xu, General Manager of Singapore at WeRide, said: “Our GXR vehicles already operate as taxis in China, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. We look forward to bringing the same proven performance to Singapore.”

Alejandro Osorio, Managing Director of Grab Singapore, added: “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.”

Source: WeRide