Waymo Sets Sights on Singapore, Robotaxi Rides to Launch by 2028

Jaguar I-PACE vehicles are about to hit the streets of Singapore—though not to carry passengers. Instead, Waymo's trained operators will be behind the wheel, manually driving to map out road geometry and weather patterns inch by inch. This marks the first step in Waymo's Singapore rollout, with the process expected to continue throughout 2027.

Waymo announced that Singapore will become the company's second international hub outside the US, and its second in Asia. According to the timeline the company shared, the first vehicles will arrive on the island nation within the next few months to begin pre-launch preparations. Throughout 2027, Waymo's team will keep manually driving and mapping local roads, fine-tuning the system to handle Singapore's road conditions and climate. The company plans to start offering rides to the public via its own app in 2028.

Singapore isn't Waymo's first stop abroad. The company has been testing driverless vehicles in Tokyo since 2025, marking its first international market. Just days ago, Waymo announced it's gearing up for commercial robotaxi service in Tokyo by 2027, which will run through both its own app and GO, the taxi-hailing app widely used in the city.

Tokyo and Singapore share one thing in common: both boast well-developed bus and subway networks. Waymo says it hopes its self-driving vehicles can fill the "first mile" and "last mile" gaps—serving residents who live far from the nearest MRT station, or commuters racing to catch their next train.

Waymo has yet to reveal specifics on pricing or service coverage areas for Singapore. Those details likely won't come into focus until closer to the 2028 launch.