Singapore trials autonomous vehicles on public roads for cargo transportation

Singapore’s FairPrice Group (FPG) recently announced that it has become the first organization in the country to receive approval from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for the final stages of trials to use autonomous vehicles (AVs) on public roads for cargo transportation.

This initiative is part of an ongoing partnership with autonomous driving technology company Zelos Technology to incorporate AVs into FPG’s vehicle fleet.

Upon successful completion of the trial, the group will add Zelos Z10s – an AV with a load capacity of up to 1.5 tonnes, range of up to 210 km, and 10cu.m of cargo space – to its fleet that will transfer palletised goods between its Benoi and Joo Koon distribution centres.

The Zelos Z10 is the first fully driverless AV designed for the logistics sector to receive the LTA’s M1 permit, a required licence for operating AVs on public roads. Through the pilot, the FPG aims to enhance operational efficiencies and drive greater sustainability outcomes across its supply chain business.

The autonomous vehicle initiative supplements FPG’s ongoing efforts to ensure a sustainable and efficient supply chain that enables it to deliver on its social mission of keeping daily essentials within reach. These efforts include the ongoing expansion of FPG’s electric vehicle fleet, expected to grow to over 30 vehicles by the end of 2024.