Waymo’s driverless ride-share cars to start offering services in Singapore in 2028
This is its first foray into South-east Asia, and second in Asia after Tokyo, Japan.
Alphabet's Waymo, a driverless ride-hailing operator, plans to initiate bookings for trips in Singapore using its self-driving cars by 2028, marking its debut in Southeast Asia. This venture will be the company's second Asian market, following Tokyo, Japan, where commercial services are scheduled to commence in 2027. Initially, Waymo's fleet will consist of Jaguar I-PACE SUVs, although the specific number of vehicles and the eventual target fleet size have not been disclosed.
The operator intends to deploy trained autonomous vehicle specialists locally to help the onboard systems adapt to Singapore's road and weather conditions. These specialists, along with personnel for fleet maintenance and customer support, will be recruited locally. Many customers of Waymo's services utilize the ride-hailing option to connect to public transport, with over a third of users in San Francisco dropped off or picked up near public transport stops.
Waymo aims to bridge the "first-and-last-mile transit gaps" across residential and commercial hubs by offering its services.
However, it remains uncertain whether Waymo's vehicles will be accessible across the entire island or limited to specific regions in Singapore, with further details expected to be announced. Legal documents indicate that Waymo's subsidiary in Singapore was registered on May 20, and among its directors are Waymo's financial controller and deputy general counsel. Currently operational in 15 US cities, Waymo's entry into Singapore and Japan represents the company's expansion into two significant Asian markets.
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