Singapore, 20 September 2025 – Grab, a leading superapp in Southeast Asia, today announced plans to launch Ai.R, its first autonomous vehicle (AV) service for consumers in Singapore, in partnership with WeRide, a global leader in autonomous driving technology.
Selected by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for Singapore’s first autonomous shuttle service in a residential neighbourhood, Ai.R, short for Autonomously Intelligent Ride, will serve residents in Punggol along two designated routes. Ai.R is the only service selected to run on two routes in Punggol, and will start with a fleet of 11 vehicles.
The Ai.R fleet will feature two WeRide vehicle models: the five-seater GXR and eight-seater Robobus. Both have passed Singapore’s stringent Milestone 1 (M1) assessment, making them the first AVs designated for Punggol to attain this certification. The M1 assessment verifies the vehicles’ ability to operate safely on public roads in autonomous mode in accordance with Singapore’s traffic rules.
Image 1: The Ai.R fleet features two vehicle models, the WeRide GXR and Robobus
Image 2: WeRide GXR completing M1 testing at CETRAN
There will also be a trained Grab Safety Operator onboard every Ai.R ride in the initial phase, ready to take over if needed. These Safety Operators are experienced Grab private-hire and taxi driver-partners with strong safety records and driver ratings. Training has been underway since August, conducted by GrabAcademy and WeRide.
“We see the potential of autonomous vehicles to improve connectivity within underserved neighbourhoods in the near term. Together with our AV partners like WeRide, we are building a leading AV passenger fleet with a diverse range of vehicle models, to bring more transport options to the public,” said Alex Hungate, President and Chief Operating Officer of Grab.
“We are deploying our GXRs for the first time in Singapore and Southeast Asia, marking a regional milestone in urban transportation. Together with Grab, these AVs will support smarter mobility in Singapore by integrating with the public transport network and enhancing first- and last-mile connectivity for residents. Singapore’s leadership in demonstrating the potential of AVs with this initiative sets a benchmark for the region, paving the way for WeRide to extend GXR passenger services to more communities,” said Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International of WeRide.
Ai.R vehicles to start plying roads from this month
Starting this month, Ai.R vehicles will begin an extensive “route familiarisation” phase in Punggol with an onboard Safety Operator. The vehicles will study the routes in detail, such as traffic lights, zebra crossings, speed limits and more. This will enable the vehicles to smoothly navigate to the pick up and drop off points, as well as recognise and adapt to future road changes autonomously.
By early 2026, Ai.R is expected to start taking its first batch of passengers [1], improving access to key amenities including supermarkets, food courts, clinics, business parks, schools and major transport nodes such as the bus interchange.
Trained for safe navigation on Singapore roads
Ai.R vehicles use a combination of advanced cameras and LiDARs to see up to 200 metres in every direction, and detect objects even in heavy rain. This 360-degree vision helps the vehicles drive autonomously alongside other road users and respond dynamically to unexpected hazards.
Ai.R vehicles are also trained to be courteous road users, consistently adhering to Singapore’s traffic laws. They signal before turning, do not rush to beat amber lights, and will only change lanes after a safe clearance.
“Our local deployments have helped refine our technology for Singapore’s unique urban conditions. From our Robobus at Resorts World Sentosa to Robosweepers in the city centre, we’ve served tens of thousands of passengers and gained practical insights into rider needs and route operations. That same well-loved Robobus is now in Punggol, ready to bring safe, autonomous journeys to the heartlands,” said Dr. Kerry Xu, General Manager of Singapore of WeRide.
Image 3: Safety features of WeRide’s GXR and Robobus vehicles for Ai.R service
Grab driver-partners trained as AV Safety Operators
More than 10 Grab driver-partners are undergoing training for Grab’s autonomous vehicle service. The AV Safety Operator Training, conducted by GrabAcademy and WeRide, combines theory with hands-on experience operating Ai.R vehicles. Participants learn how the autonomous driving system works, including its cameras, LiDAR sensors and software, and practice seamless transitions between autonomous to manual control. They are also trained on emergency protocols and basic troubleshooting. Those who pass all modules and practical assessments are certified as AV Safety Operators, with the primary responsibility of supervising in-vehicle operations.
Image 4: Grab driver-partners at one of the AV Safety Operator Training sessions hosted by GrabAcademy and WeRide
“I like technology and driving, and becoming an AV Safety Operator lets me combine both of these interests. It’s a meaningful job to ensure ride safety whether in-vehicle or remotely in the future. I’m glad I have the opportunity to upgrade myself with new skills, and be part of this new industry. The course is very manageable and I encourage interested drivers to go for it,” said Abdul Rashid Bin Abdul Shukor, 55, a full-time Grab private-hire driver since 2016.
“My friends and family know me as an early adopter of new technologies. I’m excited to be among the first in Singapore to be trained as an Autonomous Vehicle Safety Operator. I’m looking to build up experience in this area, and hopefully learn about remote operations in the future too,” said Tony Lim, 43, a part-time Grab private-hire driver since 2017.
“Before any members of the public go onboard, the Ai.R vehicles will make hundreds of trips on these two routes in the coming months. With every trip, the vehicles become more and more adept at predicting and responding to local driving behaviours and changes in the environment. There will also be trained Safety Operators monitoring every ride and a Grab customer support team on standby to help whenever needed,” added Hungate.
Information on Punggol AV routes and ride experience
Ai.R will operate along the two fixed routes that were curated with residents and the LTA:
- Route connecting Punggol West to East: Punggol Matilda Court (Blk 234) → Punggol Clover (Blk 204A) → Punggol Plaza → Oasis Terraces
- Route connecting Punggol West to North: Punggol Matilda Court (Blk 234) → Punggol Clover (Blk 204A) → One Punggol (Sam Kee LRT) → Punggol Northshore (Blk 420A) → Punggol Coast Mall (Bus Interchange)
Passengers can view the Ai.R shuttle schedule and track vehicles in real-time within the Grab app (view the experience here). All Ai.R passengers are automatically covered by Grab’s Personal Accident Insurance Policy the moment they board the vehicle. This is a standard ride coverage provided to consumers who use Grab’s mobility services. In the event of an emergency, a dedicated AV Customer Support team will always be available via a hotline during operational hours.
“We live in Oasis Terraces and go to Punggol Plaza often for our favourite tze char stall. These locations covered by the Ai.R autonomous service are places I visit regularly. While I’ve never taken an autonomous ride before, I’m open to trying it and using it more often if I have a good experience,” said 51-year-old Punggol resident, Veronica Chong.
More training programmes expected under GrabAcademy
As the AV industry develops, new roles in technology and operations are expected to emerge. Grab’s in-house training institution, GrabAcademy, will seek to develop specialised programmes to support interested driver-partners in transitioning into AV foundational roles, such as remote operators, fleet managers, and customer support officers.
GrabAcademy is central to Grab’s commitment to upskilling and empowerment. It offers a range of programmes for driver-, delivery- and merchant-partners, from short upskilling courses (e.g., entrepreneurship, personal development) to train-and-place programmes (e.g., in data analytics and digital marketing), as well as Diploma and Degree pathways with reputable institutions. GrabAcademy also provides career facilitation services such as workshops and personalised guidance in resume writing and interview preparation. Currently, it offers over 260 unique courses and has trained more than 160,000 driver and delivery-partners and over 400 small and medium enterprises.
For more information about autonomous vehicles, visit Inside Grab at https://www.grab.com/sg/inside-grab/.
For more information about available courses and career facilitation support, visit GrabAcademy at https://grabacademyportal.grab.com/ or write to this email: grabacademy.training@grabtaxi.com.
[1] First batch of passengers are by invite-only and include winners of SG60 lucky draw