The Ai.R fleet features two vehicle models, the WeRide GXR and Robobus. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Chinese autonomous driving startup WeRide is deploying its GXRs and Robobus shuttles in Singapore in partnership with Southeast Asian ride-hailing giant Grab Holdings Ltd.

The service, branded Ai.R—short for Autonomously Intelligent Ride—was selected by Singapore's Land Transport Authority to operate two designated routes in the Punggol residential district.

Ai.R will start with a fleet of 11 WeRide vehicles and initially run with trained safety operators on board, the companies said in a joint statement on Sept 22 WeRide's five-seat GXR and eight-seat Robobus have passed Singapore's Milestone 1 safety assessment, certifying that the vehicles can operate autonomously on public roads under local traffic rules.

Ai.R vehicles will undergo a "route familiarization" phase over the coming months before carrying passengers as early as 2026, improving connections to transport hubs, supermarkets and business parks.

"This marks a regional milestone in urban transportation," said Jennifer Li, WeRide's chief financial officer and head of international operations.

"By integrating our AVs with Singapore's public transport network, we aim to provide residents with a smarter, more seamless travel experience."

Grab President and Chief Operating Officer Alex Hungate said the deployment paves the way for WeRide to expand passenger services to more communities across Southeast Asia.

The service will use onboard safety operators drawn from Grab's private-hire driver pool during the initial phase.

The rollout underscores Singapore's push to commercialize autonomous driving after years of controlled trials.

WeRide, which already operates autonomous buses and street sweepers in the city-state, is seeking to leverage its local experience to meet stringent safety standards and adapt to complex urban conditions, including heavy rain and mixed traffic.

WeRide listed on Nasdaq earlier this year and has operations in China, the US and the Middle East.