Wanted: Safety, remote fleet operators for autonomous vehicles

After nine years working as a private-hire driver, Mr Abdul Rashid Abdul Shukor decided at the age of 55 to make a career switch.

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Since training for his new job as an autonomous vehicle (AV) safety operator started in August, he has picked up new knowledge about how self-driving systems work and how to troubleshoot basic issues.

Mr Rashid is one of more than 10 former Grab drivers whom the ride-hailing giant is training as it prepares to roll out commercial autonomous shuttle services in Punggol in 2026.

“I like technology and driving, so becoming an AV safety operator lets me combine both of these interests,” he said.

A trip to Guangzhou earlier in 2025 also helped to sway Mr Rashid, as he was keen to learn more about the AVs he saw on the roads there.

Taxi giant ComfortDelGro, too, has started to train its first batch of 12 safety operators for its new autonomous shuttle service in Punggol.