Grab Singapore explores autonomous vehicles for underserved routes

The adoption of self-driving cars in the U.S. faces significant hurdles, with only 13% of Americans expressing trust in autonomous vehicles, a slight increase from 9% last year, according to a recent AAA survey. Despite the public's skepticism, companies like Google, Waymo, and Cruise are pushing forward with pilot programs and technology development, aiming to make automated vehicles a reality. Grab, Southeast Asia's leading ride-hailing service, is exploring the integration of autonomous vehicles to enhance service in under-served areas, although they acknowledge that widespread deployment will take many years. Grab's CEO emphasized the importance of regulatory discussions and the need for a reliable service as they innovate with AV technology. The movement toward automated vehicles is also seen as a potential solution to improve road safety and reduce emissions. However, the public's perception remains a significant barrier to widespread acceptance and use.