Punggol has officially become Singapore’s first residential town to host large-scale autonomous vehicle (AV) testing, with WeRide and Grab receiving approval from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to deploy the entire Ai.R autonomous shuttle fleet across the district.
The milestone marks a major step toward bringing public autonomous shuttle service to Punggol by early 2026 — setting the town at the forefront of smart mobility, autonomous driving technology, and next-generation public transport in Singapore.
🚘 Autonomous Vehicle Testing Begins in Punggol (Mid-October 2025)
WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD, HKEX: 0800.HK), a global leader in self-driving technology, and Grab (NASDAQ: GRAB), Southeast Asia’s leading superapp, began AV test runs in Punggol in mid-October 2025.
With LTA’s latest approval, the companies will now increase autonomous shuttle testing by up to 4× by the end of 2025, significantly accelerating data collection and safety validation.
This marks the first time an entire autonomous shuttle fleet has been authorised for public-road testing in a Singapore residential district.
🚏 What is Ai.R? Singapore’s First Public Autonomous Ride Service
Ai.R is Grab’s upcoming autonomous shuttle service developed in partnership with WeRide. When launched, it will operate on two fixed shuttle routes serving key Punggol amenities.
The Ai.R Fleet in Punggol
- 11 autonomous vehicles
- 10 WeRide GXR shuttles (5 passengers each)
- 1 Robobus (8 passengers)
- 360-degree LiDAR + camera coverage
- Can “see” up to 200 metres
- Optimised for rain, glare, and complex urban environments
The autonomous service will connect residents to major nodes in north Punggol, including:
- Punggol Coast MRT Station (NE17)
- Punggol Coast bus interchange
- Punggol Coast Mall
- Community amenities, clinics, and housing estates
This makes Punggol the first neighbourhood in Singapore with an autonomous transport loop.
🧠 How the Autonomous Vehicles Learn the Punggol Environment
During the test runs, the Ai.R autonomous shuttles conduct real-world mapping and behavioural training. The vehicles gather data on:
- Road infrastructure & lane geometry
- Vehicle-pedestrian interaction
- Traffic flow patterns
- Local driving behaviour
- Weather conditions (sudden rain, bright sunlight, glare)
The training allows the AVs to improve:
✔ Precision Turning & Braking
Smooth acceleration and deceleration while maintaining safe distances.
✔ Complex Urban Navigation
Handling narrow residential roads, tight corners, and multi-storey carpark entry/exit lanes.
✔ Accurate Pick-Up & Drop-Off
Stopping precisely at designated points such as at Matilda Court Blk 234, one of the official Ai.R shuttle stops.
This rigorous real-world testing is essential before the service opens to public passengers in early 2026.
👮 Safety Operators Onboard During Testing
Despite the high level of automation, Safety Operators will remain inside every autonomous shuttle during testing and initial public rides.
Their responsibilities include:
- Real-time supervising the AV
- Intervening if necessary
- Ensuring safe and smooth journeys for passengers
🎓 First Batch of Grab Safety Operator Trainees Hit the Road
To support the AV rollout, GrabAcademy and WeRide have trained the first cohort of Safety Operators from experienced Grab driver-partners.
After classroom learning and closed-circuit practice, they are now undergoing on-the-road AV training in Punggol.
One trainee, Mr Azman Bin Rahmad, shared:
“I’m excited to be among the first to train as an AV Safety Operator. I’ve seen how the technology evolves with our feedback, and I look forward to supporting Singapore’s transport future.”
🌟 Why This Matters for Punggol Residents
Punggol is rapidly becoming Singapore’s testbed for future mobility, complementing its reputation as a smart and sustainable district.
Benefits for residents include:
- Better first-mile/last-mile connectivity
- Faster access to MRT, malls, clinics, and amenities
- A preview of self-driving technology in everyday transport
- Potential reduced waiting times with automated fleet optimisation
With the planned launch in early 2026, Punggol will be the first place in Singapore where the public can ride a fully autonomous shuttle service.