Singapore Aiming To Deploy Self-Driving Buses On Public Roads Onwards From 2022

Self-driving buses may be deployed on public roads in Singapore relatively soon, with a plan newly revealed by the city-state’s Ministry of Transport reportedly calling for such a deployment onwards from 2022.

The initial deployment will reportedly be in 3 different districts within Singapore, with the idea being to improve transportation sector “connectivity” there.

While a deployment of self-driving buses in Singapore onwards from around 2022 wouldn’t likely make the country the global forerunner in the deployment of autonomous bussing systems, it would still likely make it one of the first to put such tech into commercial use.

“Countries around the world are encouraging the development of self-driving technologies. High-density Singapore, which has manpower shortages in many sectors, is at the forefront of such efforts and is hoping to prompt its residents to use more shared vehicles and public transport,” Reuters reports.

“There are at least 10 companies testing their autonomous technology on the island. Autonomous scheduled bus services will complement human-driven public buses, and will initially travel on less crowded roads, according to the statement. Autonomous on-demand shuttles will allow commuters to hail the services via their mobile phones.”

The government of Singapore is reportedly now seeking feedback and input from the industry, and also from various research institutes, as to what will be necessary to make the pilot successful.

In related news, efforts to deploy fully autonomous self-driving taxis in the city-state are ongoing. For more on that, see: nuTonomy CEO: Self-Driving Taxi Pilot In Singapore Is Already Showing That People Adjust Quickly.

Image by Niall Sohan