Grab Halts Autonomous Vehicle Testing Following Near Miss with Pedestrian

In a concerning incident in Singapore, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has ordered Grab to temporarily suspend testing of its autonomous vehicles (AVs) at certain junctions. The decision follows a near miss where one of Grab’s AVs almost collided with a schoolgirl while executing a left turn in Punggol.

Investigation Underway

On November 6, the LTA disclosed that it became aware of the incident a day earlier and has since initiated an investigation. Initial findings indicate that the vehicle successfully detected two pedestrians and was actively monitoring their movements. As the traffic light turned green, the AV attempted to make a left turn. At that moment, one of the pedestrians, a young child, began crossing the road.

According to LTA reports, the AV started to brake and veered to the right as soon as the child entered its path. A safety operator, who was on board, took manual control of the vehicle, further braking and steering it away from the pedestrian.

Grab Responds to the Incident

In response to inquiries from news outlets, a representative from Grab emphasized the company’s commitment to safety: “Safety is our top priority. We are aware of this incident and are closely reviewing it in conjunction with the Land Transport Authority and our partner, WeRide.”

A Closer Look at the Incident

Footage shared in a Facebook group, SG Road Vigilante, captured the event, which occurred around 8:11 AM on Thursday. The video clearly shows a young girl crossing the road as the Grab vehicle approaches, nearly striking her during its discretionary left turn. Following the near miss, the vehicle slowed before continuing its journey.

The LTA noted that the AV was testing a new route in anticipation of launching Grab’s enhanced on-demand travel service in Punggol. The company is poised to introduce a point-to-point transportation service in various locations within the area, with additional service points expected to be added in the upcoming months.

Plans for Future Expansion

Currently, Grab operates two routes using AVs developed by WeRide, while ComfortDelGro operates one route utilizing vehicles from Pony.ai. In September, Grab announced its intention to expand its AV fleet significantly, increasing from 10 to 50 vehicles over the next six months, with the goal of extending services beyond Punggol into other regions of Singapore.

Conclusion

The temporary halt in AV testing underscores the importance of safety, particularly in areas where pedestrians are present. As investigations continue, both Grab and the LTA are focused on ensuring that appropriate measures are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.