Waymo announced plans to launch its fully autonomous, all-electric ride-hailing service in Singapore in 2028 as the company expands internationally and prepares additional launches in Tokyo, London and Munich.
According to the Alphabet-owned autonomous vehicle company, it is working with Singapore’s Ministry of Transport and Land Transport Authority to prepare for the commercial service, which would be available through the Waymo app.
Singapore’s government noted that Waymo will become the country’s newest autonomous vehicle operator, joining ComfortDelGro and Grab as part of its effort to expand autonomous mobility options for commuters. The Land Transport Authority said it will work with Waymo to ensure deployments meet safety and regulatory requirements, while the government also plans to support drivers affected by the shift through retraining and transition programs.
“Singapore has built one of the safest, most efficient, and most forward-thinking transportation ecosystems in the world. Their focus on reliability, sustainability, and human-centric progress directly mirrors how we have built Waymo’s technology and service,” co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana noted. “As we begin our journey here, we are committed to listening to the community, creating high-skilled local operational jobs, and working hand-in-hand with national leaders to complement Singapore’s world class public transit network.
Waymo will take a phased approach with an initial fleet of electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles expected to arrive in Singapore in the coming months as the company establishes local operations. In 2027, trained autonomous specialists will begin driving the vehicles manually to adapt the Waymo Driver to local conditions, including Singapore’s road geometry and monsoon weather. Waymo intends to begin offering fully electric and fully autonomous rides to the public in 2028, subject to regulatory approvals.
Building for Singapore
Waymo said the Singapore service is intended to complement public transit, including first- and last-mile connections, noting that more than one-third of its San Francisco riders are picked up or dropped off near transit stations. The company plans to operate an all-electric fleet and said its current vehicles prevent an estimated 480 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide from road travel each week. Its autonomous driving system uses lidar, radar and cameras to maintain a 360-degree view and detect pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.
Waymo reports it has provided more than 20 million fully autonomous rides and driven more than 300 million fully autonomous kilometers, as well as a 94% reduction in injury-causing crashes compared with human drivers in the U.S. cities where it operates fully autonomously.
“Waymo brings world-class technology and operational expertise to Singapore, and will move us towards our vision of creating new transport options for Singaporeans,” said Jeffrey Siow, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance. “The partnership will also strengthen our ecosystem and create new capabilities and jobs here.”
Featured image credit: Waymo