One of the Ai.R AVs – a WeRide GXR – in Punggol. During its test run, the AV studies its route and operating environment, including the road infrastructure, traffic flows, as well as road user and pedestrian behaviours.
SINGAPORE – November 13, 2025 – WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD, HKEX: 0800.HK), a global leader in autonomous driving technology, and Grab (NASDAQ: GRAB), Southeast Asia’s leading superapp, announced that Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) has granted them approval to conduct autonomous vehicle (AV) testing with the entire Ai.R fleet within the Punggol district.
The partners commenced Punggol’s first AV testing in mid-October 2025. With this approval, WeRide and Grab will be stepping up their AV testing programme there, and now plan to increase the total number of AV test runs on its shuttle service routes in Punggol by up to four times by the end of the year.
Ai.R, which is operated by Grab in partnership with WeRide, is a public autonomous ride service. The Ai.R fleet comprises 11 AVs – 10 GXRs (five passenger seats) and one Robobus (eight passenger seats). The AV test runs are critical to preparations for the launch of Ai.R, which will serve two dedicated shuttle service routes in Punggol, establishing the district as Singapore’s first residential neighbourhood with an autonomous shuttle service. Ai.R is expected to take its first batch of public passengers by early 2026.
Alejandro Osorio, Managing Director of Grab Singapore, said, “We are excited to bring autonomous shuttle service to Punggol to boost connectivity. In the coming days, we will be working closely with the authorities as we prepare for the launch of the Ai.R service. Safety remains our priority, as we focus on rigorous real-world testing, where our Ai.R fleet navigates the Punggol environment, adapting to actual traffic flows and pedestrian behaviours. Such tests are essential to ensure the community receives smooth, secure, and meaningful journeys.”
Throughout the AV testing and initial phase of public rides, Safety Operators will be onboard the AVs at all times, providing real-time supervision.
The autonomous shuttle service in Punggol will connect residents to key amenities like Punggol Coast MRT station, Punggol Coast Mall bus interchange, malls, and clinics.
Ai.R is operated by Grab in partnership with WeRide. One of the Ai.R units at Matilda Court Blk 234, which is the location of one of the pick-up & drop-off points for Punggol’s autonomous shuttle service.
Rigorous real-world testing to ensure reliability
During the AV test runs, the AVs gather and analyse real-world data to localise their AI driving models. This includes details on road infrastructure, traffic flows, and the nuanced behaviours of local road users and pedestrians. The AVs are also trained to handle a variety of weather conditions – such as sudden rain and intense sun glare – to ensure reliable operations.
In addition, the AVs will continuously calibrate their driving performance. For example:
- Refine Precision Driving Capabilities: The AVs rehearse their operating routes to hone driving capabilities, including executing precise turn timing, smooth acceleration and deceleration, and maintaining optimal distance from all obstacles.
- Master Urban Scenarios: The AVs are trained to safely navigate common and complex urban scenarios, such as tight turns on narrow residential roads and in carparks, while maintaining safety clearance from walls, pedestrians, and other vehicles.
- Execute Seamless Pick-ups & Drop-offs: Adjustments are also made to deliver gradual slowdowns and accurate stops at designated points, ensuring passengers can board and alight the shuttle effortlessly.
Equipped with a sensor suite consisting of LiDARs and cameras, the GXRs and Robobus have 360-degree vision, can “see” up to 200 metres in every direction, and can detect objects even in the rain. This helps the AVs to respond promptly and dynamically to hazards.
First cohort of Safety Operator trainees progress to on-the-road training
To support the roll-out of the Ai.R service, GrabAcademy (Grab’s in-house training institution) and WeRide are training an initial cohort of more than 10 experienced Grab driver-partners for Safety Operator roles. Following theory lessons and closed-circuit practical training, the first cohort of Ai.R Safety Operator trainees have progressed to on-the-road training in Punggol.
Mr Azman Bin Rahmad, an Ai.R Safety Operator trainee said, “I’m excited to be among the first to train as an AV Safety Operator. I’ve seen firsthand how these vehicles operate and how our feedback directly enhances their performance. I look forward to learning more about this advanced technology, and working with it to support Singapore’s transport needs.”