Grab and WeRide Launch Singapore’s First Autonomous Public Ride Service in Punggol

Singapore has officially taken a major step into the future of urban mobility. Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading superapp, together with autonomous driving technology pioneer WeRide, has launched the nation’s first autonomous public ride service within a residential estate. The Ai.R (Autonomously Intelligent Ride) fleet began public operations in Punggol today, marking a historic milestone for Singapore’s transport innovation.

From Trial to Reality

The rollout follows a comprehensive community engagement and testing phase that began in January 2026. More than 1,000 participants, including Punggol residents and community representatives, trialled the service and shared feedback that helped refine the overall experience. So far, Ai.R’s vehicles have accumulated a safe autonomous mileage of 30,000 km.

Preparing the Workforce for an Autonomous Future

Beyond launching an autonomous service, Grab and WeRide are also investing in upskilling driver-partners for new roles within an AV-driven ecosystem.
During the initial phase of public operations, each vehicle will have a Safety Operator onboard to ensure smooth and safe journeys.

So far, 14 Grab driver-partners have completed specialised training with WeRide and GrabAcademy to become certified Safety Operators, while another batch is currently undergoing assessment. Training has also expanded to Remote Operator roles, equipping participants with the skills to monitor AVs from the Ai.R Operations Command Centre.

How to Ride with Ai.R

The public can now register for Ai.R rides through a dedicated reservation link on the official Ai.R website. Routes were designed in consultation with the community, connecting residents to essential services and transport hubs.

Key details include:

• Operating Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
• Routes: Two full shuttle routes (Route 1 and Route 3), plus a shorter 20-minute “Mini Route”
• Fares: All rides are free until mid-2026, ahead of the planned commercial launch. This allows Grab and WeRide to gather usage data and fine-tune service quality and pricing for the introductory discounted fare.

Accelerating AV Adoption in Southeast Asia

The launch of Ai.R highlights the strong collaboration between Grab, WeRide, and Singapore’s transport authorities. The project progressed from its Milestone 1 (M1) assessment to full public operations in just seven months, a testament to the maturity of WeRide’s technology and Grab’s operational expertise.

As members of Singapore’s Steering Committee on Autonomous Vehicles, both companies continue to work closely with the government to safely integrate AVs into the national transport network.