WeRide, a leading Chinese autonomous driving company, has achieved a significant milestone with the debut of Singapore’s inaugural fully autonomous, Level 4 passenger bus service. Operating under the brand name Robobus, the service is now operational from the Equarius Hotel at Resorts World Sentosa, covering a route spanning 0.7 miles.
The Robobus connects several hotels within the resort via four stops, offering guests a convenient transportation option that completes the route in approximately 12 minutes. Despite the autonomous operation showcased in a WeRide video, each bus includes a human safety monitor on board to ensure passenger safety.
Resorts World Sentosa, a renowned tourist destination in Asia, encompasses Universal Studios Singapore, Dolphin Island, a waterpark, and numerous hotels and dining establishments, drawing approximately 12 million visitors annually.
WeRide’s swift deployment of the Robobus follows its receipt of Singapore’s M1 and T1 public road licenses for autonomous vehicles (AVs) in December last year. The Robobus is equipped with 360-degree sensing capabilities, ensuring no blind spots and detecting obstacles within a 200-meter range. It operates at a top speed of 25 mph and functions reliably under various weather conditions.
Singapore’s Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Culture, Community, and Youth, Alvin Tan, praised the initiative, stating, “The real-world pilot of intra-hotel transportation is a big step towards a driverless future. By integrating AV tech, we allow for a more productive use of our limited manpower resources and ensure a more sustainable and scalable transport solution.”
The Robobus launch in Singapore adds to WeRide’s expanding global footprint, with operations spanning nearly 30 cities worldwide. Besides urban centers in China, WeRide has conducted pilots in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and showcased its AV technology at prominent events like the French Open tennis tournament in Paris.
Beyond the Robobus, WeRide is also advancing autonomous technology with its Robosweeper, currently undergoing safety testing in Singapore with plans for official operations by year’s end. The Robosweeper, already operational in several Chinese cities, marks another innovative step towards autonomous mobility solutions.
