SINGAPORE: A public trial of on-demand transport using autonomous vehicles has started on Sentosa island, and will run until November 15.
Two minibuses and two smaller shuttles operate on a private road from Silso Point to Palawan Beach taxi stand, and then along public roads to the Sentosa Development Corp office, Tanjong Beach and Sentosa Golf Club. Operations on the 5·7 km route run on weekdays from 10.00 to midday and from 14.00 to 16.00.
Passengers can book free journeys via the Ride Now Sentosa app or at kiosks along the route. Each vehicle has an onboard attendant that can take over operation in an emergency.
The vehicles have been developed by the Land Systems arm of ST Engineering in partnership with the Ministry of Transport and Sentosa Development Corp. ST Engineering has supplied its Autonomous Vehicle Management System, which analyses passenger demand and optimises route management.
On-road testing of autonomous shuttles on Sentosa began in June 2018.
