WeRide a specialist in autonomous driving technology, and Grab Southeast Asia’s leading superapp, have officially commenced public operations for the Ai.R (Autonomously Intelligent Ride) service in Punggol. Starting today, the public can experience Singapore’s first autonomous passenger service ever deployed within a residential estate.
The transition to public service follows what is described as a ‘rigorous community engagement phase’. Since January 2026, more than 1,000 passengers – including Punggol residents and community leaders – trialled the service and provided feedback that has improved the ride experience. To date, the Ai.R fleet has safely clocked 30,000km of autonomous mileage.
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“WeRide is proud to deliver Singapore’s first autonomous public ride service in the Punggol district. This achievement reflects our technological readiness and shared commitment with Grab to advance the future of urban mobility. Our GXR vehicles already operate as taxis in China, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, providing safe and reliable point-to-point on-demand transport to our riders. We look forward to bringing the same proven performance to Singapore, in close coordination with local authorities, as operations scale and mature,” said Dr. Kerry Xu, General Manager of Singapore at WeRide.
“Grab is delighted to be bringing the first autonomous vehicle service in a residential area to the public. This service is about more than just deploying state-of-the-art AVs, it is about building a future where technology and the community move forward together. 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. We are excited to take this significant step toward a more seamless, inclusive and sustainable transport ecosystem for Singapore,” said Alejandro Osorio, Managing Director of Grab Singapore.
Empowering driver-partners for new AV roles
As WeRide and Grab embark on the integration of AV technologies, their key focus has also been preparing the workforce for an autonomous future. During the initial phase of public rides, Safety Operators will be onboard the AVs to help ensure a seamless journey. To date, 14 Grab driver-partners have successfully completed specialised training with WeRide and GrabAcademy to become certified Safety Operators and another batch of Grab driver-partners are currently undergoing training and assessments.
WeRide and GrabAcademy have also commenced Remote Operator training, where participants learn how to monitor the fleet remotely from the Ai.R Operations Command Centre.
The public can register for rides on the Ai.R fleet via a dedicated reservation link on the Ai.R website (visit rideair.ai). Designed in consultation with the community, the routes connect residents to key amenities and transport nodes.
During the public ride phase, passengers can select their preferred routes and timings:
• Operating hours: The Ai.R fleet operates on weekdays (Monday–Friday) from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
• Routes: Riders can choose between two full AV shuttle routes. A 20-minute “Mini Route” will also be offered for those looking for a shorter AV experience.
• Fares: Rides will be free till commercial service begins in mid-2026, allowing more passengers to share their feedback, as well as gathering insights into usage patterns, to help to fine-tune service and pricing standards for the introductory discounted fare.
