ComfortDelGro updates autonomous shuttle software after yellow-box stop in Punggol
ComfortDelGro said it will modify the software of its driverless shuttles after a vehicle stopped inside a yellow box on Northshore Drive, and safety operators have been alerted to the incident.
ComfortDelGro is revising the software of one of its autonomous shuttles after the vehicle came to a halt inside a yellow box on Northshore Drive in Punggol. Dashcam footage posted on a local Facebook page on Nov 9 showed the driverless shuttle approaching the junction to turn left, slowing behind a motorcycle and stopping within the yellow box before proceeding when the light turned green. Michael Huang, head of Singapore point-to-point mobility business at Zig by ComfortDelGro, said the onboard safety operator flagged the event and the company will adjust the software to better handle such junctions in line with traffic rules.
The free driverless shuttle service, launched on June 22, uses five-seat vehicles supplied by Pony.ai and initially ran a 25-minute route linking Block 420A Northshore Drive, Punggol Coast Mall and One Punggol. A longer 50-minute route covering seven stops, including Punggol Plaza and Oasis Terraces, began on July 1. Safety officers remain on board to intervene when needed.
The incident follows a recent directive that required ComfortDelGro to suspend U-turn testing after a near-miss with another vehicle on Nov 5, and a similar pause imposed on Grab after one of its autonomous vehicles nearly struck a schoolgirl while turning left in Punggol.