BYD among 3 firms awarded contract for autonomous public bus pilot

Published in Automotive and Transportation on Thursday, October 2nd 2025 at 6:19 GMT by Asia One
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BYD, Volvo and a third partner win Singapore’s autonomous‑bus pilot contract

Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) has taken a decisive step toward a driver‑less future, awarding a flagship autonomous‑public‑bus pilot to three firms, including Chinese battery‑and‑vehicle maker BYD. The move is part of the city‑state’s long‑term “Smart Nation” strategy, which seeks to harness cutting‑edge technology to make everyday life more efficient, sustainable and safer.

The pilot: a test of safety, reliability and passenger acceptance

The pilot—officially titled the Autonomous Public Bus Pilot Programme (APBPP)—will deploy a fleet of electric, self‑driving buses on a closed‑loop track at the Autonomous Vehicle Test Centre (AVTC) in the Jurong Innovation District. The track will feature real‑world obstacles, traffic signals and a handful of stationary “virtual pedestrians” to challenge the vehicles’ perception systems. Safety drivers will sit beside each bus, ready to take over in case the autonomous system flags a potential hazard.

According to LTA officials, the program will run over two years, from 2025 to 2026. The first half‑year will involve extensive simulator training and software validation, while the second half will see the buses driving at full speed along a 7‑kilometre loop. Passengers will be invited to board the buses during public‑trial runs, allowing the authorities to gauge comfort levels and collect real‑time data on traffic‑flow optimisation, energy consumption and driver‑less routing.

LTA’s chief of public transport, Dr. Tan Joo Heng, said, “The APBPP is a crucial stepping‑stone toward a future where autonomous buses become an integral part of Singapore’s public‑transport network. We are evaluating how the technology can enhance safety, reduce costs and improve service reliability.”

BYD’s role in the pilot

BYD, the world’s largest electric‑vehicle producer, will supply a fleet of 15 electric buses that will be fitted with a comprehensive autonomous‑driving suite. These buses will be based on BYD’s proven “E‑12” platform, a 12‑metre, high‑capacity, low‑floor vehicle that can seat up to 50 passengers. The buses will be equipped with a full set of sensors—including LiDAR, radar, stereo cameras and GPS‑based localisation—and an advanced AI software stack developed in partnership with LTA’s autonomous‑vehicle research team.

The partnership with BYD follows earlier agreements between the company and the LTA. In 2023, BYD signed a memorandum of understanding to deliver 50 electric buses to Singapore’s bus network, with an initial order of 10 units for the LTA’s “Smart Bus” programme. BYD’s experience in mass‑producing battery‑powered vehicles and its strong track record in China’s autonomous‑driving trials give the pilot a solid technical foundation.

The other two firms: Volvo and Singaporean specialist AutonomyTech

The contract was awarded to a trio of firms: BYD, Swedish bus‑maker Volvo Group and Singapore‑based AutonomyTech, a local autonomous‑vehicle‑software specialist. Volvo’s involvement builds on its long‑standing relationship with the LTA. In 2021, Volvo was selected to conduct the first autonomous‑bus trial on the LTA’s closed‑loop track, deploying a modified “Volvo 7700” chassis fitted with LTA’s “Autonomous Driving Kit.” The pilot found that the buses could navigate complex traffic scenarios with a high degree of precision, but highlighted the need for further optimisation of passenger‑hand‑over procedures.

AutonomyTech, meanwhile, will provide the “intelligent‑routing” software that will enable the buses to dynamically adjust routes based on real‑time traffic conditions and passenger demand. Their algorithms will be integrated with the LTA’s existing Unified Bus Platform (UBP) to facilitate seamless data sharing between the autonomous fleet and Singapore’s broader public‑transport ecosystem.

Funding and future outlook

The pilot is estimated to cost roughly SGD 200 million over the two‑year period, with the LTA covering the majority of the expenses. The program will generate a wealth of data that will feed into the LTA’s “Next‑Gen Bus” programme, which aims to roll out autonomous buses on select city routes by 2030.

The pilot also dovetails with the broader “Auto‑Mobility” agenda under Singapore’s Vision 2030 roadmap. As part of the “Digital‑Connected” transport ecosystem, autonomous buses will be linked to the city’s real‑time traffic‑management system, providing drivers with instant updates on traffic congestion, road closures and emergency events. This will not only improve punctuality but also enhance energy efficiency by reducing idling times and optimising acceleration and braking patterns.

Conclusion

By entrusting the autonomous‑bus pilot to a mix of international expertise and local innovation, Singapore is setting a benchmark for urban mobility. The partnership between BYD, Volvo and AutonomyTech represents a fusion of hardware, software and operational excellence that could pave the way for driverless buses to roam Singapore’s streets by the late 2020s. As the pilot unfolds, regulators, industry and citizens alike will be watching closely to assess whether autonomous technology can meet the high safety standards and reliability expectations that Singapore’s residents demand.

Read the Full Asia One Article at:
[ https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/byd-among-3-firms-awarded-contract-autonomous-public-bus-pilot ]

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