Image: Waymo
Alphabet-owned Waymo plans to launch a commercial robotaxi service in Singapore in 2028 as it expands its autonomous ride-hailing operations beyond the US.
An initial fleet of all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles will arrive in Singapore in the coming months. A readiness phase will follow in 2027, when trained autonomous specialists will manually drive the vehicles to adapt Waymo Driver to local roads, traffic conditions and monsoon weather.
The planned service will operate through the Waymo app, subject to regulatory approvals and other operational requirements. Singapore’s Ministry of Transport and Land Transport Authority are working with Waymo on the introduction of the service.
“Singapore has built one of the safest, most efficient and most forward-thinking transportation ecosystems in the world,” said Tekedra Mawakana, Co-CEO of Waymo. She added that the company would work with national leaders to complement Singapore’s public transport network and create local operational jobs.
Waymo’s arrival will add another major autonomous driving operator to a market where robotaxi services are already moving towards public use. Chinese autonomous driving company Pony AI opened public bookings for its Punggol service in June through Singaporean transport operator ComfortDelGro’s Zig ride-hailing app.
While Waymo has not yet specified whether Punggol will be part of its launch, the district has become a focal point for Singapore’s autonomous vehicle programme, with the city-state targeting between 100 and 150 self-driving vehicles on its roads by the end of 2026. Grab and WeRide have also launched a driverless service in Punggol following a community trial that covered more than 30,000 kilometres.
That puts Waymo’s planned 2028 launch on a different timeline from several operators already testing or offering autonomous rides in Singapore. Its initial deployment will also come after the company has established operations in other international markets.
London is expected to be Waymo’s first international commercial market, with the company preparing to launch by the end of 2026. It has also announced plans for Tokyo in 2027 and Munich in late 2027.
The Singapore rollout will follow the same phased approach, with local operations and testing preceding the planned fully autonomous service. Singapore requires autonomous vehicles to undergo safety assessment before commercial deployment, adding a regulatory step to Waymo’s preparations.
The service is intended to complement the country’s existing public transport network with first and last-mile connections among the potential uses.
Singapore’s government also positioned autonomous vehicles as part of a broader transport strategy, with previous trials involving robotaxis, autonomous freight delivery, road sweepers and self-driving buses for airport workers.
