Chinese robotaxi operators WeRide and Pony AI are partnering with local firms to expand in Singapore, choosing one of the world’s best-mapped cities as a first stop for driverless ride-hailing in Southeast Asia.Singapore’s Grab Holdings has joined WeRide in plans to offer autonomous vehicles for consumers along two approved routes in the city-state’s Punggol neighbourhood, the companies said in a statement on Saturday. They will deploy a fleet of 11 vehicles and start testing as soon as this month, and expect the robotaxis to be ready for hiring by early 2026. Pony AI and ComfortDelGro will begin services in the coming months after regulatory approval, the companies said in a separate statement. They will operate on a 12km route in Punggol, according to Singapore’s Land Transport Authority. Grab and WeRide will deploy vehicles on 10km and 12km courses.Singapore’s transport ministry said in June that it plans to deploy autonomous vehicles in public housing estates by the end of the year, integrating them into the national public transport network. Chinese robotaxi companies including Apollo Go, and US-listed WeRide and Pony AI, are aggressively expanding into global markets, moving into the Middle East, Europe and Southeast Asia. Baidu is planning to launch its Apollo Go robotaxi service in Singapore and Malaysia as early as this year.
