• The Ai.R (Autonomously Intelligent Ride) service is operated by Grab and features WeRide’s GXR and Robobus autonomous vehicle (AV) models
• The Ai.R fleet has successfully served more than 1,000 early riders and clocked over 30,000km of autonomous mileage
• The development of the Ai.R service has unlocked new career paths for Grab’s driver-partners, including roles as Safety Operator and Remote Operator
• Interested members of the public can now register to experience the AV service for free for a limited period till mid-2026 (visit rideair.ai to reserve your ride)

SINGAPORE – 1 April, 2026 – Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading superapp, in partnership with WeRide, a global leader in autonomous driving technology, today officially commenced public operations for the Ai.R (Autonomously Intelligent Ride) service in Punggol. Starting today, the public can experience Singapore’s first autonomous passenger service ever deployed within a residential estate.

The transition to public service follows a rigorous community engagement phase. Since January 2026, more than 1,000 passengers – including Punggol residents and community leaders – trialled the service and provided feedback that has improved the ride experience. To date, the Ai.R fleet has safely clocked 30,000km of autonomous mileage.

“Grab is delighted to be bringing the first autonomous vehicle service in a residential area in Singapore to the public. This service is about more than just deploying state-of-the-art AVs, it is about building a future where technology and the community move forward together. By integrating autonomous rides into the daily lives of Punggol residents and upskilling Grab’s driver-partners into new roles, we are ensuring that the benefits of innovation are shared by all. We are excited to take this significant step toward a more seamless and sustainable transport ecosystem for Singapore,” said Alejandro Osorio, Managing Director of Grab Singapore.

“WeRide is proud to deliver Singapore’s first autonomous public ride service in the Punggol district. This achievement reflects our technological readiness and shared commitment with Grab to advance the future of urban mobility. Our GXR vehicles already operate as taxis in China, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, providing safe and reliable point-to-point on-demand transport to our riders. We look forward to bringing the same proven performance to Singapore, in close coordination with local authorities, as operations scale and mature,” said Dr. Kerry Xu, General Manager of Singapore at WeRide.

Empowering driver-partners for new AV roles

As WeRide and Grab embark on the integration of AV technologies, their key focus has also been preparing the workforce for an autonomous future.

During the initial phase of public rides, Safety Operators will be onboard the AVs to help ensure a seamless journey. To date, 14 Grab driver-partners have successfully completed specialised training with WeRide and GrabAcademy to become certified Safety Operators and another batch of Grab driver-partners are currently undergoing training and assessments.

WeRide and GrabAcademy have also commenced Remote Operator training, where participants learn how to monitor the fleet remotely from the Ai.R Operations Command Centre.

Vincent Teo, a long-time Grab driver-partner who recently transitioned to the role of a Safety Operator, is now among the first to undergo the Remote Operator programme. He shared “I am incredibly excited to progress towards Remote Operator training. When I first started this journey, I never imagined I’d have the opportunity to be at the absolute forefront of such advanced technology. This is a huge milestone for me personally – and I’m proud to be part of the team bringing this future to fellow Singaporeans.”

Ridhwan Wajib, a Grab driver-partner who recently took on the role of Safety Operator, said, “It’s a privilege to be one of the first in this field. This role has been such an interesting journey that I’m constantly telling my loved ones all about it. More than anything, I’m looking forward to the moment my parents and my family step on board to experience this technology with me.”

Inviting the public to ride with Ai.R today

The public can register for rides on the Ai.R fleet via a dedicated reservation link on the Ai.R website (visit rideair.ai to reserve your ride). Designed in consultation with the community, the routes connect residents to key amenities and transport nodes. 

During the public ride phase, passengers can select their preferred shuttle routes and departure timings.

• Operating Hours: The Ai.R fleet operates on weekdays (Monday – Friday) from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
• Routes: Riders can choose between two full AV shuttle routes experiences (named Route 1 and Route 3). A 20-minute “Mini Route” will also be offered for those looking for a shorter AV experience.
• Fares: Rides will be free until commercial service begins in mid-2026, allowing more passengers to share their feedback, as well as gathering insights into usage patterns, to help fine-tune service and pricing standards for the introductory discounted fare.
  

Driving the future of mobility

The launch of Ai.R service underscores Grab and WeRide’s commitment to deploy robotaxis and autonomous shuttles in Southeast Asia. Moving from the first Milestone 1 (M1) assessment to full public operations in about seven months, the project’s momentum highlights the maturity of WeRide’s technology, Grab’s operational and technical capabilities, as well as the close collaboration with the government. As active members of Singapore’s Steering Committee on Autonomous Vehicles, Grab and WeRide continue to work alongside the government to ensure AVs are safely integrated into the national transport system.