Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, plans to launch a robotaxi service in Singapore by 2028. The company will begin shipping vehicles to the country in the coming months to initiate mapping and autonomous testing. These initial tests will require human safety drivers to be present behind the wheel starting in 2027.
Before the public service can commence, Waymo must secure approval from Singapore’s Land Transport Authority. All autonomous vehicles are required to pass a safety assessment at the Centre of Excellence for Testing and Research. Waymo has already established a local corporate entity and joined the Steering Committee on Autonomous Vehicles in Singapore.
The company is simultaneously pursuing international expansion in other major cities. Waymo aims to launch robotaxi services in London by the end of 2026, followed by Tokyo and Munich in 2027. These moves represent the company's broader strategy to grow its global footprint beyond the United States.
Currently, Waymo operates approximately 4,000 vehicles across 15 US cities. While the company has recently announced expansion into Nashville, Denver, San Diego, and Las Vegas, it faces regulatory and political challenges in major hubs like New York City, Chicago, and Washington, DC.
