Skip to main content

Singapore ventures into AV technology

A new partnership, the Singapore Autonomous Vehicle Initiative (SAVI), announced by the Singapore government, together with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) will jointly oversee the setting up of a technology platform to spur research and development as well as the testing of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, applications and solutions. A Committee on Autonomous Road Transport for Singapore (CARTS) will also be formed to chart the strategic dir
August 29, 2014 Read time: 2 mins

A new partnership, the Singapore Autonomous Vehicle Initiative (SAVI), announced by the Singapore government, together with the 918 Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) will jointly oversee the setting up of a technology platform to spur research and development as well as the testing of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, applications and solutions.

A Committee on Autonomous Road Transport for Singapore (CARTS) will also be formed to chart the strategic direction and study opportunities for AVs deployed in the country. Among the possibilities being explored are the use of AVs for the transport network, such as driverless buses, or for intra-town shuttles in future residential developments.

SAVI will also look into the regulations required for the mass adoption of such vehicles, such as liability issues when accidents happen and infrastructural requirements.

AVs are already under development in Singapore; the National University of Singapore, with 2024 Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has been testing four autonomous golf-buggies within the campus. From September, two will be deployed on the footpaths of the Chinese and Japanese Gardens in Jurong Lake District, and the public can use them for free. They also have an autonomous car, SCOT, which can be remotely summoned and can detect obstacles with laser sensors.

ST Kinetics has developed an autonomous unmanned ground vehicle called Terrav, which can detect other vehicles coming from different directions, while PSA Singapore Terminals has been developing automated guided vehicle prototypes that will operate 24/7 for its future container terminals, to transport containers between the quay and the container yard without drivers.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Motability gives grant to TRL and RiDC for accessibility research
    October 31, 2023
    Focus is development of accessible automated transport for people with disabilities
  • Chinese search giant ‘developing autonomous cycle’
    July 11, 2014
    While Google develops driverless cars in the west, in China, internet giant Baidu is said to be developing an unmanned autonomous bicycle. According to Techweb, a prototype of the world’s first unmanned bike is possible by the end of this year. The bike is said to be able to identify its owner, navigate obstacles and run on its own using an electric motor. The bike, without a rider, can apparently sense its environment well enough to avoid obstacles and navigate complicated road conditions. The device
  • OS data helps EVs and cities 
    November 8, 2021
    OS says new mapping techniques are addressing rapid urbanisation 
  • Mcity test centre for connected and driverless vehicles now open
    July 21, 2015
    The University of Michigan has opened Mcity, the world's first controlled environment specifically designed to test the potential of connected and automated vehicle technologies that will lead the way to mass-market driverless cars. Mcity was designed and developed by U-M's interdisciplinary MTC, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The 32-acre simulated urban and suburban environment includes a network of roads with intersections, traffic signs and signals, streetligh