WeRide Inc. and Grab Holdings Ltd. have officially launched Singapore’s first autonomous public ride-hailing service, Ai.R, in the Punggol district. This initiative features autonomous vehicles developed by WeRide, including the GXR and Robobus models, and follows a successful trial phase that saw over 1,000 riders and 30,000 km of autonomous driving since January 2026. The service will initially offer free rides on weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with commercial operations expected to commence in mid-2026.
This launch is significant for the financial markets as it represents a pivotal advancement in the autonomous mobility sector, particularly in Southeast Asia. Both WeRide and Grab have seen positive stock movements, with WeRide up 5.14% and Grab gaining 3.68% on their respective exchanges. The collaboration not only enhances their market positioning but also indicates a growing acceptance of autonomous technologies in urban transportation.
Market professionals should monitor the performance of both companies as the commercial rollout approaches, as successful integration of this service could influence broader investor sentiment in the autonomous vehicle sector.
Source: nasdaq.com