Waymo Launches Robotaxis in Singapore by 2028

U.S. robotaxi operator Waymo announced plans to launch its autonomous vehicle services in Singapore by 2028, marking its first market entry into Southeast Asia. This expansion follows recent announcements of Waymo's roadmaps to introduce its self-driving cars in Germany and the United Kingdom, and its first Asian market, Japan. The Singapore launch signifies a significant step for Waymo in diversifying its global presence beyond North America. Waymo's co-CEO, Tekedra Mawakana, stated in a press release on September 18 that Singapore possesses one of the world's most secure, efficient, and forward-thinking transportation ecosystems. She further committed Waymo to engaging with the local community, creating skilled employment opportunities, and integrating its services to complement Singapore's existing public transit network. Waymo's fleet in Singapore will consist of all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles. These vehicles are scheduled to arrive in the coming months and will enter a training phase in 2027. During this phase, autonomous specialists will conduct initial manual driving to familiarize the Waymo vehicles with local road conditions and weather patterns. Singapore is already a competitive landscape for autonomous vehicle (AV) development and deployment. In September of the previous year, Chinese robotaxi firms WeRide and Pony AI announced collaborations with prominent local entities. WeRide partnered with ride-hailing platform Grab, while Pony AI joined forces with transport operator ComfortDelGro. These partnerships aim to introduce self-driving vehicles into the Singaporean market. Both WeRide and Pony AI are currently operating autonomous shuttle services within Singapore's Punggol district, an area designated by the government as a testing ground for physical AI technologies. Singapore's Minister for Transport, Jeffrey Siow, expressed his support for Waymo's venture, stating in the September 18 press release that Waymo brings world-class technology and operational expertise, which will advance Singapore's vision for new transportation options for its citizens. Earlier in the year, Siow had emphasized Singapore's "really big push" for AVs, characterizing them as a 'game-changer' for the local transport sector. He projected that within five years, Singapore would witness a significant presence of autonomous vehicles on its roads.