Safety Operators Play Critical Role in Singapore's Autonomous Vehicle Trials

Safety operators in Singapore are debunking the misconception that their roles in autonomous vehicle (AV) trials are passive, emphasizing that the job requires high levels of alertness and specialized training. These operators, employed by companies such as Grab and ComfortDelGro, monitor AV shuttles in Punggol to ensure passenger safety and provide essential feedback to engineering teams to improve system performance. While the vehicles are self-driven, operators must be ready to take manual control immediately in the event of a system malfunction or dangerous situation.

Training for the role includes learning to operate left-hand drive vehicles, as the AVs are sourced from China. Operators such as Sarah Ahmad and Sherman Seng describe the experience as being similar to a driving instructor supervising a student, noting that the mental strain of supervising can be higher than traditional driving. Beyond safety monitoring, operators record technical errors such as abrupt braking or indecisiveness in traffic. Some operators have also transitioned into remote operation, managing multiple AVs from a control center.

Singapore is expanding its AV infrastructure, with Grab planning to increase its fleet from 10 to 50 vehicles and introduce on-demand services. To support this growth, a Bill was recently tabled in parliament to extend the regulatory sandbox for AV deployments until December 31, 2028. Career conversion programs and short courses offered by the Skills and Workforce Development Agency are available for taxi and private-hire drivers wishing to enter the field.