Singapore: Alphabet’s autonomous driving unit Waymo plans to introduce its autonomous all-electric ride-hailing service in Singapore in 2028, marking its first entry into Southeast Asia.
An initial fleet of electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles will arrive in Singapore in the coming months as the company prepares its autonomous driving technology for local conditions.
In 2027, trained autonomous specialists will conduct initial manual driving to help the Waymo Driver adapt to Singapore’s road layouts and monsoon weather patterns. The public service is expected to begin in 2028.
Singapore, we’re on our way 🇸🇬 Our vehicles will arrive later this year, and will begin mapping and learning Singapore’s roads in early 2027 before fully autonomous ride-hailing arrives in 2028.
Learn more: https://t.co/sAYo0uPecC pic.twitter.com/OqC4fDVz5x
— Waymo (@Waymo) September 18, 2026
Waymo is working with Singapore’s Ministry of Transport and the Land Transport Authority to bring the service to the country.
Supporting Singapore’s green transport goals
Waymo stated that its autonomous mobility service will complement Singapore’s existing public transport network and help strengthen connections between residential and commercial areas and mass transit.
- First- and last-mile connectivity: Waymo aims to help address gaps between public transport stations and residential or commercial destinations. In San Francisco, more than one-third of Waymo riders are picked up or dropped off near transit stations.
- Zero direct emissions: Waymo’s fully electric fleet is intended to support Singapore’s Green Plan 2030 by helping reduce urban carbon emissions and reliance on private cars. The company estimates its current fleet prevents around 480 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from road travel each week.
- Protection for active mobility users: Waymo’s vehicles use a sensor system combining lidar, radar and cameras to provide a 360-degree view of their surroundings. The system is designed to detect and anticipate pedestrians, cyclists and other active mobility users, supporting cautious and predictable interactions on urban roads.
Waymo expands autonomous mobility in Asia
Singapore Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow welcomed Waymo as the country’s newest autonomous vehicle operator, saying its technology and operational expertise would contribute to expanding transport options for Singaporeans.
The Singapore plans follow Waymo’s announcement earlier this week that it is targeting the launch of Japan’s first fully autonomous commercial taxi service in Tokyo in 2027.
Waymo was valued at $126 billion in February after raising $16 billion. The company has continued expanding its robotaxi fleet as it competes with Amazon’s Zoox and Tesla in the autonomous vehicle market.
Waymo’s planned Singapore service marks another step in the expansion of autonomous mobility across Asia, combining electric vehicles and self-driving technology with the city-state’s public transport and sustainability goals.
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