In a historic move for Singapore, the autonomous vehicle firm WeRide has received approval to launch a driverless shuttle bus service at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) entirely without safety personnel on board. This landmark decision marks a significant first for the Southeast Asian region.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore granted WeRide the green light following extensive safety evaluations and rigorous on-road testing. Since its inception in June 2024, the eight-seater driverless bus, equipped with high-tech cameras and advanced sensors, has successfully completed thousands of trips on a designated 12-minute route, transporting tens of thousands of passengers without incident.

Previously, while WeRide had removed the steering wheel and pedals from their vehicles, a safety officer was still essential for emergencies. Now, however, WeRide’s CFO, Jennifer Li, hails this development as a "groundbreaking milestone" for the future of mobility in the region.

Li stated, "Deploying the region’s first fully driverless robo-bus proves that our vehicles are not only safe and reliable but also ready to transform public transportation on a large scale."

The LTA’s Deputy Chief Executive for Technology, Lam Wee Shann, noted that they have been working closely with WeRide to facilitate these trials, updating assessment frameworks to ensure the safe adoption of mature autonomous vehicle technologies.

In addition to the shuttle service in RWS, WeRide has been testing self-driving road sweepers at Jurong Lake Gardens since March, following earlier deployments at Marina Coastal Drive and the Esplanade.

As Singapore gears up for a significant push in autonomous vehicles, plans are underway for self-driving shuttles to hit the roads in Punggol by late 2025. Initially, these shuttles will operate with safety officers on board, clearly marked with bright colors to reassure residents and road users.

Safety officers are expected to be phased out as community confidence grows, mirroring existing services in places like Guangzhou, where autonomous routes are already functioning remotely. Responses from Punggol residents reflect a mix of excitement and skepticism about this new transportation method.

Among those expressing enthusiasm is 28-year-old financial advisor Shariqqi Rizvi, who sees the potential for improved access in newly developed residential areas. Conversely, 36-year-old Carole Yeo voiced her concerns about safety, stating, "I’d be scared because what if something happens suddenly? I don’t quite trust it."