Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) and TADA Mobility (Singapore) Pte Ltd will launch a pilot on-demand shared autonomous vehicle (AV) service on Sentosa in early 2027, offering visitors more convenient connections to the island’s beaches, hotels and attractions.
The pilot will begin with two autonomous vehicles developed by autonomous driving technology company WeRide, with the service expected to expand progressively across the island, SDC and TADA said in a joint statement on Thursday.
The service will feature 27 pick-up and drop-off points, allowing visitors to book rides through TADA’s platform and travel directly to their destinations without having to transfer between transport modes.
The vehicles will use service roads along Siloso Beach and Palawan Beach, as well as public roads, enabling visitors to reach beachfront attractions and restaurants more directly without switching to beach shuttles.
The first phase is targeted to begin in early 2027, covering the western side of Sentosa and connecting hotels, beaches and attractions around Siloso, Imbiah and Beach Station. Subsequent phases will extend coverage to the rest of the island, subject to regulatory approvals from the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
The service will operate from 1pm to 7pm and be complimentary during the pilot period. Visitors will be able to scan QR codes on wayfinding signs for information on the service and pick-up and drop-off locations.
“This pilot is part of our Smart Sentosa ambition and our role as a ‘living lab’ to explore new mobility solutions that can make the guest experience even more seamless and convenient,” said Thien Kwee Eng, chief executive officer of SDC.
She said the service would allow visitors to book rides and be picked up nearby, giving them more time to enjoy the island and spend time with their loved ones.
TADA chief executive officer Sean Kim said the partnership would explore how autonomous technology and on-demand bookings could improve transport convenience and accessibility while maintaining safety.
The pilot builds on Sentosa’s initial autonomous vehicle trial in 2019. It will assess whether shared autonomous mobility can reduce waiting times, improve ride certainty and shorten connections between transport hubs, hotels and attractions.
SDC and TADA will conduct further trials to validate routes, booking, boarding and safety procedures before the service begins. The vehicles will operate under safety and operational protocols developed with LTA, with trained safety operators on board and remote monitoring capabilities to provide assistance when needed.
The partners are also exploring enhancements such as audio commentary about nearby attractions. Findings from the pilot will help inform the potential integration of autonomous vehicles into Sentosa’s long-term transport network.
Breakthrough Energy, Temasek, Enterprise Singapore renew Southeast Asia Fellows Hub for three years