Alphabet’s Waymo to start offering driverless ride-share car services in Singapore in 2028
This marks the firm’s second confirmed Asia market and its first entry into South-east Asia
Driverless ride-hailing company Waymo announced plans to begin offering rides in Singapore in 2028, marking its first foray into South-East Asia. At a press conference in Google's Asia-Pacific headquarters in Pasir Panjang, Waymo revealed that their initial fleet of vehicles will consist of Jaguar I-PACE SUVs, although the exact number of cars and their eventual size remains undisclosed.
For the first phase of deployment, Waymo drivers will be trained specialists who familiarize themselves with Singapore's roads and weather conditions. These individuals, as well as roles such as fleet maintenance and customer support, will be hired locally. The company aims to address the "first-and-last-mile transit gaps" for residents and businesses, aiming to connect with public transportation systems.
Waymo CEO Tekedra Mawakana highlighted the safety of their vehicles, noting that they are 94% less likely to be involved in crashes causing serious injuries compared to human drivers and 84% fewer crashes with cyclists resulting in injuries. Since 2020, Waymo has provided millions of rides across US cities, and their entry into Singapore aims to complement the city-state's mobility ecosystem with a safe, convenient, and reliable option.
Mawakana expressed that autonomous mobility is about saving lives and providing families with peace of mind for their loved ones.
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