Autonomous shuttle services are starting public service in Singapore soon, and researchers from the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities (LKYCIC) had an early opportunity to preview the services in Punggol. Part of a wider initiative to introduce autonomous technology to the heartlands, these trials mark a significant step in Singapore’s urban mobility and transport innovation journey.
Autonomous Shuttles Arrive in the Heartlands
Researchers from LKYCIC with safety operator Sarah, before boarding the five-seater autonomous shuttle operated by Grab.
With a distinctive pink and purple livery, these autonomous vehicles (AVs) will operate along designated routes in Punggol, with the aim to improve first-mile-last-mile (FMLM) connectivity, particularly for residents travelling between homes, amenities, and public transport nodes that may otherwise be less accessible.
The 10km route that we trialled is operated by Grab and begins and ends at Matilda Court in Sumang Lane. Along the way, it connects residents to key destinations such as the polyclinic at Oasis Terraces and the market at Punggol Plaza.
Inside the Autonomous Shuttle Experience
Upon boarding the five-seater shuttle, passengers are greeted with an audio announcement to fasten their seatbelts. The system would detect when all seatbelts were fastened before moving off. Inside, an onboard tablet displays how the shuttle’s LiDAR sensors detected nearby vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians in real time – offering a glimpse into how the vehicle “sees” its surroundings. The shuttle incorporated many features identified as important for good shared autonomous vehicle designs in LKYCIC’s past research.
The ride itself was smooth and comfortable. The shuttle travelled at a cautious pace, up to around 50 km/h, reflecting the careful and safety-first approach typical during early deployment phases. For most of the journey, the experience felt steady and intuitive, even within a busy neighbourhood environment.
Why Safety Operators Still Matter
On board, we were introduced to Sarah, our safety operator for the journey, who had recently transitioned from her previous role as a private hire driver. While the shuttles are designed to operate autonomously, a safety operator is on board during this initial phase to manage unexpected situations and support safe operations. Even though Sarah was seated in the driver’s seat, she was not actively steering the vehicle. Instead, she maintained constant attention, ready to assume control if necessary.
This human role became more visible later in the journey. During our ride, a brief congestion point occurred near Punggol Plaza when another autonomous shuttle attempted to enter as our shuttle was exiting, creating a bottleneck along the narrow path. The situation was quickly resolved when the safety operator on the other shuttle intervened, taking manual control to steer the shuttle away. This moment provided us with a glimpse into the crucial role of the safety operator—to ensure safe operation and continual improvement of the vehicle’s sensing capabilities.
Autonomous Mobility and the Future of Transport Work
Roles such as safety operators illustrate how AV deployment is not only about introducing new vehicles, but also about new forms of work that support and complement emerging technologies. These roles build on existing driving experience while introducing new responsibilities related to monitoring, safety, and system awareness.
Singapore’s AV trials reflect the country’s broader ambitions in urban mobility, technological development, and societal progress. Beyond improving connectivity and transport efficiency, these trials also provide valuable opportunities to better understand how new technologies interact with everyday work and services.
In parallel with these developments, LKYCIC has embarked on a study with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) to examine how the deployment of AVs will reshape labour demands across the transport sector, with the aim of developing practical strategies and actionable recommendations in ensuring a just transition for transport workers.
As autonomous shuttles begin to find their place in neighbourhoods like Punggol, they offer not just a preview of future mobility, but also an opportunity to learn, about systems, services, and how technology and people can move forward together.
Learn more about LKYCIC’s research on autonomous transitions for transport workers here.