Visitors to Sentosa will be able to call up a free self-driving shuttle from early 2027, in a pilot that lets the vehicles skip stops nobody needs. Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) is running the trial with ride-hailing firm TADA Mobility, using two autonomous vehicles built by WeRide.
Rides are booked through the TADA app, which uses GPS to suggest the nearest pick-up point. The service is complimentary during the pilot and runs from 1pm to 7pm.
Straight to the beach without changing shuttles
The pilot adds 27 pick-up and drop-off points to the island’s transport network, opened in stages. The shuttles will use Siloso Beach Walk and Palawan Beach Walk, the service roads along the two beaches, as well as Sentosa’s public roads.
That lets guests reach beachfront attractions and restaurants directly instead of switching to a beach shuttle. It is the first on-demand shared service on Sentosa to cover so many locations. Each vehicle follows a set route but can pass any stop where no one is getting on or off.
Eight seats and a safety operator
Each autonomous vehicle seats up to eight guests, with a trained safety operator on board and remote monitoring to send help when it is needed. Screens and announcements inside the vehicle keep passengers updated during the trip, and QR codes on wayfinding signs around the island lead to details of the service and its stops.
SDC and TADA will work with the Land Transport Authority on safety and operating protocols. Before the first passengers board, the two partners will run further trials of the routes, booking, boarding and safety procedures. Voiced commentary on nearby attractions is also being explored.
For SDC chief executive Thien Kwee Eng, the point is ease of movement: “With this pilot, guests can simply book a ride, get picked up nearby, and travel to where they want to go, giving them more time to enjoy the island and connect with their loved ones.”
West side first
The service rolls out in phases. Phase 1 is targeted for early 2027 and covers the western side of the island, linking hotels, beaches and attractions around Siloso, Imbiah and Beach Station.
Later phases will extend the shuttles to the rest of Sentosa, subject to approval from the Land Transport Authority. Sentosa first trialled autonomous vehicles in 2019, and WeRide’s vehicles now run in more than 60 cities across 13 countries.
