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Southeast Asian superapp Grab is prototyping an autonomous electric shuttle bus pilot in Singapore, in collaboration with Autonomous A2Z (A2Z), a South Korean autonomous vehicle technology firm. The pilot aims to provide transport for Grab employees initially connecting the company’s One-North headquarters with the nearby One-North Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station.

Insiders in Grab Singapore told CleanTechnica that this prototyping is to study the feasibility of the autonomous public transport in the island nation.

The electric shuttle, equipped with A2Z’s autonomous software and hardware alongside Grab’s Internet of Things (IoT) devices, is scheduled to commence operations tomorrow. A trained safety driver will be present on board at all times to ensure passenger safety.

“Safety is Grab’s top priority, and we are committed to taking a cautious approach to autonomous technology pilots,” Yee Wee Tang, Grab’s Regional Head of Operations, said in a press statement. Tang added that the initiative would allow Grab to evaluate the safety performance of autonomous systems and explore new job opportunities within the sector.

“This pilot marks A2Z’s first deployment of autonomous technology in Singapore,” Ryan (Ho Jin) Kim, Managing Director of Business and International for A2Z, said as he discussed the deployment’s significance to public transportation.

He stated that collaboration with Grab, Singapore’s Land Transport Authority, and local safety drivers was undertaken to prepare the autonomous shuttle for Singapore’s transport environment. Kim also expressed that the pilot would help assess the commercial viability of autonomous shuttles for first- and last-mile transport and their potential to address manpower shortages in public transport. A2Z and Grab intend to share insights and findings with the government to support Singapore’s broader autonomous vehicle objectives.

Shuttle Prepared for Singapore Operations

The autonomous shuttle underwent over 100 hours of training on its fixed 3.9-kilometer route between Grab’s office and the MRT station. This training involved collecting information on road infrastructure, traffic signals, lane markings, and detecting pedestrians, vehicles, and obstacles. It also included labeling detected objects with attributes such as size, speed, and direction, programming the shuttle to respond to real-world scenarios like stopping at zebra crossings and traffic lights, and calibrating driving controls for passenger comfort. Furthermore, on-route testing optimized navigation and adapted to unplanned scenarios such as traffic obstruction.

Equipped with 11 sensors, including LiDAR, radar, and cameras, the shuttle provides a 360-degree view of its surroundings, enabling detection and maneuvering around objects and obstacles. An integrated safety algorithm ensures the bus comes to a safe stop if a sensor or system issue is detected. These features contribute to A2Z’s safety record in South Korea, where its autonomous vehicles have accumulated over 668,000 kilometers of journeys from 2020 to May 2025.

Workforce Development Initiatives

Grab aims to explore how Singaporeans, including platform workers, can transition into roles within the autonomous vehicle sector. The pilot will also examine career pathways as autonomous technologies advance. Grab plans to train up to 10 safety drivers by the end of the year, with five drivers currently undergoing training. This group includes one GrabTaxi driver-partner, two GrabCar driver-partners, and two drivers from the National Private Hire Vehicles Association.

Philip Soh, a GrabTaxi driver currently in the Safety Driver training program, shared his experience: “The Safety Driver training course was an experience. The combination of classroom and practical lessons helped me understand how autonomous vehicles function. Practicing on the road provided confidence that this technology, paired with a safety driver, can provide a safe experience for passengers and road users. I am applying these new skills as a part-time safety driver alongside my taxi driver job.”

The autonomous shuttle will operate for two hours daily during off-peak periods, with additional hours for training. Grab and A2Z will monitor ride performance and safety before expanding available time slots.

Grab employees can track the shuttle schedule, vehicle location, and future seat availability through the Grab app. Onboard KartaDashcam devices will detect passenger numbers and capture images of the vehicle’s location, with this data automatically synchronizing with the Grab app to provide employees with current information.

Earlier this year, Grab established regional partnerships with many autonomous technology companies, including Motional, WeRide, and Zelos. Grab’s participation in autonomous pilots aims to understand operational conditions for various autonomous vehicle services in Singapore and contribute to the nation’s efforts to enhance transport connectivity through autonomous technologies.

GrabCab Finally Out

Two weeks ago, CleanTechnica reported on the release of the new green GrabCabs, composed of Toyota Prius and Hyundai Konas, marking the company’s expansion into Singapore’s taxi services. Grab, like Uber, is a direct competitor to taxis. Coming into the taxi service is intended to increase ride availability and improve the commuter experience throughout the island.