WeRide Robosweepers Enter Marina Bay, Marking Singapore’s First Commercial Autonomous Sanitation Project
November 20, 2024 — WeRide (Nasdaq: WRD), the leading global commercial-stage company developing autonomous driving technologies from Level 2 to Level 4, announced that its Robosweeper S6 and Robosweeper S1 have officially commenced operations at Marina Coastal Drive and Esplanade in Singapore, respectively. This milestone represents Singapore’s first commercialized autonomous sanitation project, setting a benchmark for the broader adoption of smart sanitation technologies in the country.
The commercial launch of WeRide’s two autonomous sanitation devices follows one week after the company’s receipt of M1 and T1 licenses from the Land Transport Authority of Singapore (LTA). This achievement underscores WeRide’s exceptional execution capabilities and industry-leading speed in advancing global commercialization.
In June of this year, WeRide announced a partnership with Chye Thiam Maintenance (CTM), one of the largest and highest-ranked environmental services companies in Singapore, to jointly advance the commercial deployment of autonomous sanitation technologies in Singapore. In less than six months, the two partners successfully completed the entire process from license applications and road testing, to commercial deployment. The WeRide Robosweeper S6 and Robosweeper S1 have now been deployed at Marina Coastal Drive and Esplanade, respectively, becoming integral components of Singapore’s smart sanitation ecosystem.
The WeRide Robosweeper S6 operates nightly from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., focusing on cleaning the Marina Coastal Drive area, while the Robosweeper S1 performs daytime cleaning on the non-motorized lanes and surrounding areas of Esplanade from 8 to 10:30 a.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. daily.
As a signature urban landmark of Singapore, Marina Bay’s complex road environments and high pedestrian trafficpose significant challenges for sanitation operations. WeRide’s Robosweeper S6 and Robosweeper S1, leverage 360-degree perception capabilities and advanced, responsive planning and control technologies to complement traditional sanitation operations through coordinated day-and-night shifts. These vehicles not only ensure safety and efficiency of sanitation work in complex environments, but also significantly enhance the overall cleaning efficiency of Marina Bay, adding a futuristic touch to this world-renowned destination.
Globally recognized as a “Garden City,” Singapore has consistently prioritized cleanliness and environmental sustainability. The WeRide Robosweeper S6 and Robosweeper S1 are fully electric, ensuring high operational efficiency while reducing carbon emissions and contributing to Singapore’s vision of a green, low-carbon urban environment.
Chee Hong Tat, Minister for Transport of Singapore, recently shared on social media that the LTA has approved the trial operation of autonomous vehicles on public roads and expressed support for the development of autonomous driving technology with considerations for road traffic safety. He emphasized the innovative significance of the Marina Bay sanitation project and expressed optimism about the potential of autonomous solutions in shaping smart city ecosystems.
As the world’s first publicly listed universal autonomous driving technology company and the first publicly listed Robotaxi company, WeRide is dedicated to leading the industry forward. With Singapore as a key anchor, the company aims to expand the large-scale deployment of smart sanitation solutions in more cities worldwide, fostering greener, low-carbon, and sustainable urban living.