Chinese robotaxi firms team up for autonomous shuttles in Singapore
Two of China’s leading robotaxi developers — WeRide and Pony.ai — announced partnerships with Singaporean firms to roll out autonomous shuttle services in the city-state, marking a major step in its autonomous driving ambitions.
Grab, Singapore’s ride-hailing giant, said it will partner with WeRide to operate two autonomous shuttle routes in Punggol. Services will begin in early 2026 with five- and eight-seater shuttles, following a test phase to study routes. WeRide, already licensed in Shanghai, is expanding its footprint abroad.
Meanwhile, Pony.ai, backed by Toyota, will team up with ComfortDelGro, Singapore’s largest taxi and transport operator. Their service will also start in Punggol on a 12-km route, with launches expected “in the coming months” pending regulatory approval, before expanding to nearby communities.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said both companies have a proven track record overseas with multiple vehicle types, including shuttles and robotaxis. Pony.ai already operates commercial services in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, and is eyeing further deployments in South Korea, Luxembourg, the Middle East, and beyond after its $260 million Nasdaq IPO in November.
Singapore has been actively exploring autonomous mobility, with Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow visiting Chinese AV firms in June. The partnerships position the country as a testbed for urban driverless fleets, as global competition in robotaxi technology accelerates.