Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Alphabet, revealed its intention to bring robotaxis to Singapore as it continues exploring overseas expansion. According to a statement from the company, vehicles will begin arriving in Singapore in the coming months to prepare for mapping and autonomous testing with safety drivers behind the wheel, which is slated for 2027. Waymo said it is working toward offering fully autonomous ride-hailing to the public by 2028.
The service will require authorisation from Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA), which mandates that all autonomous vehicles undergo a safety assessment conducted at a designated facility. The timeline depends on regulatory approvals and successful completion of testing phases. Singapore has been proactive in developing an autonomous vehicle framework, positioning itself as a testbed for emerging transportation technologies.
Waymo currently operates fully autonomous ride-hailing services in several US cities, including San Francisco, Phoenix and Los Angeles, and has been gradually expanding its geographic footprint. The Singapore announcement marks a significant step in the company's international ambitions, though it faces competition from other robotaxi operators such as Cruise and Baidu's Apollo Go in various markets.