Robots to clean, patrol and deliver food in Singapore’s Punggol under expanded AI trials

Eight companies, including Grab and Certis, will lead AI-driven robotics trials in Singapore’s Punggol Digital District, with large-scale testing set to begin by the end of 2026. The initiative, announced by Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo, aims to improve service delivery in underserved areas using robots for cleaning, security patrols, and food delivery. The trials will involve a robotic fleet operating on public roads, in office lobbies, and on a university campus to simulate real-world conditions. Participating firms—Grab, DHL, Certis, Quikbot, FieldAI, Thoughtworks, Slamtec, and Unitree—will collaborate with government agencies and the Singapore Institute of Technology to develop safety measures and regulations. Embodied AI, which enables physical systems like humanoid robots and autonomous vehicles to interact with their surroundings, will be central to the project. Authorities expect delivery robots to enhance efficiency in first- and last-mile logistics, while cleaning and security robots will support operations after hours and in hard-to-reach areas. A unified data platform and renewable test scenarios will be designed to allow robots to operate safely across the district. Robot operators will receive special approval to test their machines on public paths, eliminating the need for individual applications to the Land Transport Authority. More details on the trials and use cases will be released later this year when the testbed is launched.