Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) is partnering with TADA Mobility (Singapore) Pte Ltd to launch a pilot of an on-demand shared autonomous vehicle service on Sentosa island in Singapore. The pilot will begin with two autonomous vehicles developed by WeRide, aimed at giving guests more convenient transport options around the island.
The service will complement Sentosa’s existing intra-island transport network, with 27 pick-up and drop-off points to be introduced progressively. The vehicles will use service roads along Siloso Beach and Palawan Beach, as well as the island’s public roads. SDC said this is its first on-demand shared service to operate across such a wide network of locations.
The first phase of the pilot is expected to begin in early 2027, covering the western side of the island including Siloso, Imbiah and Beach Station. Subsequent phases will extend the service to the rest of Sentosa, subject to Land Transport Authority approvals. The pilot builds on an earlier autonomous vehicle trial that Sentosa ran in 2019.
On-demand booking model
Commuters will be able to book on-demand rides, with vehicles able to skip pick-up points along predetermined routes. Each vehicle seats up to eight guests and carries a safety operator on board. TADA’s platform will connect guests to the vehicles through a ride-booking system, using GPS data to suggest the nearest available pick-up points.
Thien Kwee Eng, Chief Executive Officer of Sentosa Development Corporation, outlined the aims behind the partnership.
“We want every guest’s time on Sentosa to feel effortless, from the moment they arrive to the last stop of their day, and that starts with making it easier for guests to get around,” Thien said. “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. This partnership with TADA is also 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.”
Sean Kim, Chief Executive Officer of TADA Mobility (Singapore), described the thinking behind the collaboration.
“We believe the future of mobility is about giving people more ways to move while meeting their evolving needs, with safety always at the top of our priority,” Kim said. “By combining autonomous technology with TADA’s on-demand platform, this partnership with Sentosa will explore how AVs can make journeys more convenient and accessible while operating safely alongside existing transport options.”
Safety checks and regulatory oversight
SDC and TADA will work with the Land Transport Authority to operate the vehicles under safety and operational protocols, with checks to validate their safety on roads. Each vehicle will be supported by a trained safety operator and equipped with remote monitoring capabilities. Onboard digital signage and announcements will keep guests informed during their journey.
Ahead of the pilot, SDC and TADA will run further trials to validate routes, booking, boarding and safety procedures. The service will be complimentary for guests during the pilot period and will operate from 1:00pm to 7:00pm.
