- Free on-demand autonomous vehicle pilot on Sentosa in early 2027 via SDC and TADA, bookable through the TADA app.
- Two WeRide autonomous vehicles, each seating up to eight, will run daily 1 pm to 7 pm with a safety operator onboard.
- Service covers western Sentosa first, progressively adding 27 pick-up and drop-off points near beaches, hotels and attractions.
- Vehicles will use public roads and selected beachfront service roads to bring passengers closer to attractions and reduce walking.
- Pilot is free, supervised, subject to LTA approval and further trials; expansion depends on operational readiness and visitor demand.
Getting around Sentosa could become a lot more convenient in 2027, especially for families travelling with young children or visitors planning to explore several attractions in one day.
Sentosa autonomous vehicles will begin offering free on-demand rides in early 2027 through a new partnership between Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) and ride-hailing platform TADA.
Unlike conventional shuttle buses that stop at designated locations along fixed routes, the new service will allow visitors to book rides between selected pick-up and drop-off points across the island.
With 27 locations planned progressively, the service could make travelling between Sentosa’s beaches, hotels and attractions considerably easier.
Free Autonomous Vehicle Rides Coming to Sentosa in Early 2027
The pilot service will initially introduce two autonomous vehicles developed by WeRide, an autonomous driving technology company.
Each vehicle can accommodate up to eight guests, with a trained safety operator on board throughout the journey.
Although the vehicles use autonomous driving technology, they will not operate without human supervision during the pilot.
The service will run daily from 1 pm to 7 pm, with rides offered free of charge throughout the pilot period.
This makes the upcoming service particularly interesting for families and tourists who frequently rely on Sentosa’s existing buses, beach shuttles and walking routes to get around.
The autonomous vehicles will complement these existing transport options rather than replace them.
How the Sentosa Autonomous Vehicle Service Works
One of the biggest differences between the upcoming service and Sentosa’s existing shuttle buses is the ability to book a ride when needed.
Instead of waiting for the next available shuttle, visitors can request an autonomous vehicle through the TADA app.
The booking process is designed to work similarly to a conventional ride-hailing service.
Here’s how the booking process is expected to work:
- Open the TADA app and select the Sentosa autonomous vehicle service.
- Choose your preferred pick-up and drop-off locations.
- Confirm your booking through the app.
- Wait for the assigned autonomous vehicle to arrive at the designated pick-up point.
- Board the vehicle and follow the onboard instructions.
The system will use GPS information to recommend nearby pick-up and drop-off points.
Visitors can also scan QR codes displayed on wayfinding signs around Sentosa to find information about the service and available boarding locations.
Once onboard, passengers will have access to digital displays and announcements providing journey information.
Sentosa is also exploring additional features, including audio commentary introducing nearby attractions and places of interest. However, these features have not been confirmed for the initial launch.
Where Will the Sentosa Autonomous Vehicles Operate?
The first phase of the Sentosa autonomous vehicle service will focus on the western part of the island.
This includes popular destinations around Siloso Beach, Palawan Beach, Imbiah and Beach Station.
The service will eventually feature 27 pick-up and drop-off points, although these locations will be introduced progressively.
According to the announced plans, the initial phase includes the following locations.
Beach Stations and Attractions
- Beach Station, in front of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
- Palawan Kidz City
- Palawan Beach, near FOC by the Beach
- Southernmost Point of Continental Asia
- The Palawan @ Sentosa
- Siloso Point beachfront
- Mega Adventure Park
- Ola Beach Club
- Coastes / Skyline Luge Singapore
Hotels and Resorts
- Equarius Hotel
- Hotel Ora
- Hotel Michael / Crockfords Tower
- The Laurus Singapore
- Village Hotel Sentosa / The Barracks Hotel Sentosa
- Oasia Resort Sentosa
- Capella Singapore
- Siloso Beach Resort
- Amara Sanctuary Sentosa
Three additional stops are planned for mid-2027, namely Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa, Siloso Point and Imbiah Lookout.
These locations form part of the 21 pick-up and drop-off points identified for the first phase. More locations will be introduced in subsequent phases.
The expansion will depend on operational readiness and regulatory approvals from Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA).
Travelling Between Sentosa’s Beaches Could Become Easier
For regular visitors to Sentosa, one of the more interesting aspects of this pilot is where the autonomous vehicles will be allowed to travel.
The vehicles will use both public roads and selected service roads along Siloso Beach and Palawan Beach.
These beachfront service roads are generally inaccessible to private cars and private-hire vehicles.
This means the autonomous vehicles could bring passengers closer to certain beachfront restaurants and attractions without requiring them to transfer to another shuttle.
For example, families visiting Siloso Beach before heading to another attraction may eventually have a more direct way to travel between designated stops.
It could also be particularly useful for parents managing prams, beach bags and other belongings while travelling with children.
The service is designed around predetermined routes, but vehicles will be able to skip unnecessary stops depending on passenger bookings.
That could potentially reduce travelling time compared with services that stop at every location along their routes.
However, actual journey times and waiting periods have not been announced.
Are Sentosa’s Autonomous Vehicles Safe?
Safety will be an important consideration, particularly for families experiencing autonomous transport for the first time.
The vehicles are being developed by WeRide, which has deployed autonomous vehicles in more than 60 cities across 13 countries.
Each vehicle operating during the Sentosa pilot will have a trained safety operator onboard.
The vehicles will also feature remote monitoring capabilities to provide assistance when required.
Before passenger services begin, Sentosa and TADA will conduct additional trials covering route validation, booking procedures, boarding arrangements and operational safety.
The pilot will operate under safety and regulatory requirements established in consultation with LTA.
These measures are intended to ensure that autonomous vehicles can operate alongside other vehicles and existing transport services on the island.
The new pilot also builds on Sentosa’s earlier autonomous vehicle trial conducted in 2019.
This time, however, the focus is on testing a shared, on-demand transport service that visitors can book based on their travel needs.
Why This Could Be Useful for Families Visiting Sentosa
Sentosa has plenty of attractions spread across different parts of the island.
For families planning a full day out, travelling between beaches, hotels, dining destinations and attractions can involve a combination of walking and shuttle transfers.
The introduction of TADA autonomous rides could simplify some of these journeys.
Parents travelling with young children may appreciate being able to request a ride from a nearby designated location instead of navigating multiple transport connections.
The eight-passenger seating capacity also makes the vehicles suitable for small groups travelling together, subject to availability.
However, families should note that the announcement does not specify whether child seats will be provided or whether prams and wheelchairs can be accommodated.
These are practical details worth checking when booking arrangements and passenger guidelines become available.
Another consideration is the operating schedule.
With services planned between 1 pm and 7 pm, the autonomous vehicles could be useful for afternoon sightseeing and travelling between attractions.
Visitors staying for dinner or evening activities will still need to consider Sentosa’s other transport options outside these hours.
When Can You Try the Free Autonomous Vehicle Rides?
The first phase of the Sentosa autonomous vehicle pilot is targeted to begin in early 2027.
An exact launch date has not been confirmed.
Here’s a quick overview of the announced service:
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Service | Sentosa on-demand autonomous vehicle pilot |
| Launch | Early 2027 (targeted) |
| Booking platform | TADA app |
| Ride price | Free during the pilot |
| Operating hours | 1 pm to 7 pm |
| Initial fleet | Two autonomous vehicles |
| Passenger capacity | Up to eight guests per vehicle |
| Pick-up and drop-off points | 27 planned progressively |
| Initial coverage | Western Sentosa |
| Vehicle technology | WeRide |
| Safety arrangements | Onboard safety operator and remote monitoring |
As the pilot progresses, Sentosa and TADA will assess how visitors use the service and how autonomous transport can fit into the island’s wider transport network.
For Singapore families, the biggest attraction is likely to be the convenience of travelling directly between selected destinations without paying extra for the ride.
While the service will initially operate on a relatively small scale with just two vehicles, it offers a glimpse of how getting around Sentosa could change in the coming years.
Visitors planning a Sentosa outing in 2027 can look out for further announcements on the official Sentosa website and TADA app before making their travel arrangements.
