Waymo targets Singapore robotaxi launch for 2028

Alphabet-owned Waymo plans to introduce a fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Singapore by 2028, making it the first Southeast Asian market for the company's robotaxi expansion. The initial fleet of all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles will arrive in Singapore in the coming months, with preparations starting before a phased testing program in 2027.

Trained autonomous specialists will initially operate the vehicles manually, while Waymo maps roads and adapts its self-driving system to local conditions. Waymo aims to offer commercial rides through the Waymo app in 2028, pending regulatory approvals. The company's entry into Singapore adds a major US developer to a competitive autonomous mobility sector already featuring regional and China-based autonomous driving companies.

The government has emphasized that autonomous vehicle deployment will not proceed faster than measures to retrain and support affected drivers. Singapore's regulatory framework requires autonomous vehicles to pass technical and operational assessments before carrying passengers and advancing towards fully autonomous operation. The company's Singapore expansion will follow a phased approach it has used in other markets, with initial operations focusing on western Singapore, including the Labrador and HarbourFront area.

The company's extensive experience, including over 20 million fully autonomous passenger rides and 300 million autonomous kilometers, positions it well to adapt its technology to Singapore's unique operating conditions, such as heavy rainfall, complex urban traffic, and interactions with public transport infrastructure.