SINGAPORE: Alphabet’s autonomous driving unit Waymo will roll out its autonomous all-electric ride-hailing service in Singapore by 2028, Waymo announced yesterday, marking its first entry into Southeast Asia.
Waymo said an initial fleet of all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles will arrive in Singapore in the coming months as it begins preparations for the launch.
The company will start testing and familiarisation work in 2027, when trained autonomous specialists will manually drive the vehicles on Singapore roads. The process will allow the Waymo Driver, the company’s autonomous driving technology, to become accustomed to local road geometry and driving conditions, including the city-state’s tropical monsoon weather.
Waymo expects to begin offering rides to the public in 2028.
The company is working with Singapore’s Transport Ministry and Land Transport Authority on the introduction of its autonomous ride-hailing service.
Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow welcomed Waymo’s entry into the market, saying the company’s technology and operational experience could contribute to the country’s efforts to expand its transport options.
“Singapore welcomes Waymo’s entry as our newest autonomous vehicle operator. Waymo brings world-class technology and operational expertise to Singapore, and will move us towards our vision of creating new transport options for Singaporeans,” Siow said.
The Singapore announcement comes as Waymo steps up its international expansion. Earlier this week, the company said it was aiming to launch Japan’s first fully autonomous commercial taxi service in Tokyo in 2027.
The two planned launches would give Waymo a significant presence in Asia as autonomous vehicle developers increasingly look beyond the US for new markets. – Reuters
