Singapore has hit another milestone in its smart mobility journey—this time, by becoming the first in Southeast Asia to deploy a fully driverless bus for public use. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has officially approved the launch of the autonomous shuttle bus service at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), with no safety officer on board.
The bus, known as the Robobus, is developed by China-based autonomous technology firm WeRide, which holds autonomous driving permits in several countries, including Singapore, the UAE, China, France, and the United States.
This new initiative marks a historic shift in the nation’s transport infrastructure, aiming to reduce manpower reliance while boosting efficiency and public convenience.
Years of Testing Behind Green Light
The Robobus has undergone rigorous testing for over a year, with trials beginning in June 2024 within RWS. Initially, the shuttle operated with a safety officer onboard as a precaution. Now, after tens of thousands of successful trips with zero reported incidents, the Robobus has been deemed safe enough to operate independently.
The bus runs on a fixed 12-minute loop and is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including LiDAR (light detection and ranging), cameras, and sensors that offer 360-degree obstacle detection with a range of over 200 metres.
During the trial phase, the Robobus completed thousands of autonomous trips, ferrying large numbers of passengers across the popular resort destination.
Singapore’s AV Vision Coming to Life
Singapore’s transport leaders are positioning the country as a regional hub for autonomous vehicle (AV) technology. Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow recently shared plans to introduce AV trials in Punggol by Q4 2025, further expanding the country’s automated public transport ecosystem.
WeRide has been a key player in this ecosystem. Besides the Robobus at Sentosa, the company has also been testing Robosweepers—autonomous road cleaning vehicles—across locations like Marina Coastal Drive, the Esplanade, and Jurong Lake Gardens.
Their growing footprint in Singapore is backed by support from the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), along with a dedicated research and development centre to push AV innovation forward.
LTA: Supporting AV Growth, Safety a Priority
LTA’s Chief Technology Officer Lam Wee Shann reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to partnering with AV developers. “We will continue to work closely with companies that seek to deploy AVs to alleviate manpower constraints, increase productivity, and enhance transport connectivity,” he said.
The rollout of the Robobus without an onboard safety officer not only showcases Singapore’s confidence in AV technology but also serves as a blueprint for other cities in the region.
With automation already reshaping logistics, cleaning, and public transportation, Singapore is clearly laying down the tracks for a driverless future—one where AI, sensors, and software take the wheel for good.
Image Source: WeRide & LTA