Chye Thiam Maintenance plans to test two driverless road sweepers on public roads in the Marina coastal area by the end of 2024. These electric vehicles, equipped with 12 cameras and five Lidar systems for 360-degree environmental mapping, can operate continuously while being remotely monitored. During the trial, a driver will be present to ensure safety.
This initiative follows earlier trials conducted in controlled environments, including one-north and Nanyang Technological University. Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat, during a recent visit, highlighted that a successful pilot could help cleaning companies address manpower shortages.
The road sweepers have undergone rigorous safety assessments as part of the AV Milestone Testing Regime, developed by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the Centre of Excellence for Testing and Research of Autonomous Vehicles (Cetran). These tests include simulation, closed-course, and on-road evaluations.
Mr. Lim Jo Hann, senior vice-president of operations at Chye Thiam Maintenance, noted that if successful, future models may be designed without traditional controls like steering wheels. The company aims to transition to a fully electric fleet and to enhance job roles for existing drivers through upskilling.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) supports these advancements as part of its efforts to modernize the cleaning sector, having previously conducted successful autonomous vehicle trials. The NEA envisions a future where service providers can deploy driverless sweepers for integrated public cleaning contracts, pending regulatory approval.
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