US self-driving car company enters Singapore, heating up driverless ride-hailing services in the country

Waymo, an American self-driving car company, has announced its plans to launch a fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Singapore starting in 2028. This move will make Singapore Waymo's first market in Southeast Asia, increasing competition among driverless ride-hailing services in the region. According to Yan.sg, Waymo will start road testing and mapping next year, with the first vehicles arriving in Singapore in the coming months.

Trained personnel will accompany the vehicles to get accustomed to Singapore's roads, traffic, and weather conditions. Once testing and regulatory approval are complete, Waymo intends to provide driverless passenger services through its own app.

Currently, autonomous shuttle services are already operational in Singapore, with Punggol being one of them. This service has catered to around 20,000 residents, with 99% of passengers expressing their willingness to recommend it to others. Grab, a popular ride-hailing platform, is also venturing into the autonomous driving market by partnering with the Chinese autonomous driving company WeRide.

The partnership commenced on April 1, 2026, and involved equipping vehicles with safety drivers, accumulating over 30,000 kilometers of safe driving before the public launch, and offering more than 1,000 passengers a test ride experience.

Other companies like ComfortDelGro's Zig service have also started offering public bookings in June 2026, connecting residents to the MRT and buses. As multiple entities enter the autonomous driving market, Singapore's transport industry anticipates heightened competition in the years to come. The introduction of these services is expected to provide commuters with additional travel options, making their journeys more convenient and hassle-free.