Waymo Robotaxis to Reach Singapore by 2028

Waymo Robotaxis to Reach Singapore by 2028

Waymo is the autonomous driving technology subsidiary of Alphabet, the parent company of Google. The company develops and operates self-driving vehicles, including fully autonomous ride-hailing services. Waymo’s core mission is to solve the problem of personal transportation by eliminating the need for a human driver through advanced sensor technology and artificial intelligence.

Key Facts

AttributeValue

OperatorWaymo (Alphabet subsidiary) Target MarketSingapore Vehicle Arrival”In the coming months” Autonomous Testing with Human Safety Drivers2027 Fully Autonomous Ride-Hailing Target2028 Regulatory Approval BodySingapore Land Transport Authority (LTA) Safety Assessment AuthorityCentre of Excellence for Testing and Research (CETRAN) Vehicle Platform (illustrated)Geely-built vehicle Other Expansion CitiesLondon (2026), Tokyo (2027), Munich (late 2027)

What Is the Timeline for Waymo’s Singapore Launch?

The Singapore expansion timeline consists of three phases. Waymo vehicles will arrive in the island nation “in the coming months.” Next, the company will conduct autonomous testing with human safety drivers in 2027. The final phase targets offering fully autonomous ride-hailing to the public by 2028.

Before accepting passengers, Waymo must obtain approval from the Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA). This process includes a safety assessment developed with input from the Traffic Police at the Centre of Excellence for Testing and Research (CETRAN). The regulatory pathway is a critical prerequisite for the company’s 2028 service target.

Waymo’s phased approach in Singapore includes vehicle arrival in the coming months, safety-driver testing in 2027, and a full commercial launch by 2028.

How Will Waymo Obtain Regulatory Approval in Singapore?

Waymo requires approval from the Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA) before it can start accepting passengers. This process involves a safety assessment that incorporates input from the Traffic Police at the Centre of Excellence for Testing and Research (CETRAN).

“Offering fully autonomous ride-hailing to the public” by 2028. — The Verge, as reported by Lowyat.NET

The safety assessment framework is designed to evaluate the autonomous vehicle’s readiness for public roads. CETRAN serves as a dedicated facility for testing and research, ensuring that autonomous vehicles meet the required safety standards before deployment. The LTA approval represents a significant regulatory hurdle that Waymo must clear by 2028.

The Singapore Land Transport Authority, with input from the Traffic Police at CETRAN, oversees the safety assessment Waymo must pass before launching its robotaxi service.

Which Other Global Markets Is Waymo Expanding To?

Beyond Singapore, Waymo has announced expansion plans for multiple international cities. London is scheduled for a service launch in 2026. Tokyo is targeted for 2027. Munich is slated for late 2027. Malaysia is not involved in the company’s current expansion plans.

Waymo’s Singapore expansion is not the company’s only international initiative. The company is pursuing a multi-city global strategy that includes Europe and Asia. The reported timeline shows a progressive rollout, with London first, followed by Tokyo and Munich in 2027, and Singapore’s full service in 2028.

Waymo’s global expansion plan includes London in 2026, Tokyo in 2027, Munich in late 2027, and Singapore by 2028, with Malaysia absent from its current roadmap.

Who Is Waymo’s Competition in Singapore’s Robotaxi Market?

Waymo is not the only robotaxi company targeting Singapore’s market. Reports from the previous year indicated that Chinese company Baidu was exploring Singapore and Malaysia as potential markets for its Apollo Go robotaxi service. Baidu’s European ambitions included talks with Switzerland’s Swiss Post-operated PostAuto.

Baidu’s Apollo Go service represents a direct competitor to Waymo in the Singapore market. The company was also in discussions with Swiss Post to expand into Europe. However, no significant updates have been reported regarding Baidu’s expansion plans since those initial reports. Waymo’s announcement gives it a first-mover advantage in the region.

Baidu’s Apollo Go robotaxi service has also targeted Singapore and Malaysia, but recent silence on those plans gives Waymo a potential advantage in the Singapore market.

Common Questions

When will Waymo vehicles arrive in Singapore?

Waymo vehicles will land on the island nation “in the coming months,” according to The Verge report. The initial vehicle deployment will be followed by autonomous testing with safety drivers in 2027.

What regulatory approval does Waymo need in Singapore?

Waymo must obtain approval from the Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA) before accepting passengers. The LTA approval process requires a safety assessment developed with input from the Traffic Police at CETRAN.

What other cities is Waymo expanding to?

Waymo plans to launch robotaxi services in London by 2026, Tokyo in 2027, and Munich in late 2027. The company has not announced plans for Malaysia.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the original report published by Lowyat.NET, which cited The Verge as its primary source. The original article was published on the Lowyat.NET website on January 28, 2026. No additional synthesis from external sources was performed.

All dates, timelines, and regulatory details are drawn directly from the source material. Quotes reproduced verbatim from the source include the phrase “coming months” and the description of “offering fully autonomous ride-hailing to the public” by 2028.

Data on competitor Baidu’s expansion plans were also sourced from the original Lowyat.NET article, which referenced the company’s reported interest in Singapore, Malaysia, and Switzerland.

This article was last updated on January 28, 2026.