Singapore’s grocery landscape is quietly undergoing a technological shift. FairPrice Group, one of the nation’s largest supermarket chains, is currently trialing the use of a driverless vehicle to shuttle goods from beverage manufacturer Pokka to its distribution center. The pilot program, which began on February 25th, represents a growing interest in autonomous logistics solutions as businesses grapple with rising costs and a tightening labor market.
The six-week trial involves an autonomous vehicle, owned by FairPrice, navigating a 6-kilometer route between Pokka’s warehouse in Benoi Crescent and FairPrice’s distribution hub in Joo Koon Circle. Moving at speeds between 30 and 40 kilometers per hour, the vehicle is remotely instructed by a warehouse operator via a smartphone application. This isn’t FairPrice’s first foray into autonomous delivery. the company already operates six similar vehicles for internal transport between its distribution centers, a practice approved by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) in October 2023, according to The Straits Times.
The current trial with Pokka is designed to test the viability of extending this autonomous network to include external suppliers. The vehicle, supplied by Chinese technology company Zelos Technology, can carry up to 1.5 tonnes of goods – a significant increase over the 800kg to 1 tonne capacity of smaller electric vans, though less than the 22 pallets a traditional diesel truck can handle. It’s a purpose-built pod, roughly the size of a family car, capable of transporting three pallets at a time.
Navigating Singapore’s Roads: A Phased Approach
The autonomous vehicle’s journey isn’t entirely independent. Currently, a safety operator accompanies the vehicle in a separate van, ready to intervene remotely if necessary. This operator meticulously documents the vehicle’s performance, observing its interactions with other road users and its ability to navigate common challenges like lane filtering, traffic junctions, and road works. This data is then fed back to Zelos Technology to refine the vehicle’s software and improve its autonomous capabilities. Information is also shared with the LTA, which approved the trial route.
Upon completion of the trial later in April, and pending final approval from the LTA, the safety vehicle will be removed, marking a significant step towards fully autonomous operations. FairPrice intends to rely solely on the driverless vehicle for deliveries from Pokka’s warehouse, demonstrating a clear commitment to the technology.
A purpose-built autonomous pod about the size of a typical family car, the vehicle can carry up to three pallets weighing up to 1.5 tonnes in total.
ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
Beyond Efficiency: Addressing Logistics Challenges
While the immediate benefit of autonomous delivery is increased efficiency, the move also addresses broader challenges facing the logistics industry. A FairPrice spokesperson declined to disclose the project’s cost but highlighted the benefits already observed, even at this early stage. The deployment of AVs allows human drivers to focus on longer-distance and more complex deliveries, optimizing the workforce.
Perhaps more significantly, the company points to the environmental advantages. According to the spokesperson, each electric autonomous vehicle reduces annual carbon dioxide emissions by 27 tonnes compared to a conventional combustion engine truck. This aligns with Singapore’s broader sustainability goals and addresses growing concerns about the environmental impact of transportation. The shift also comes at a time when Singapore, like many developed economies, is facing a manpower crunch in the transportation sector, making automation an increasingly attractive solution.
The Broader Implications for Autonomous Vehicle Adoption
FairPrice’s initiative is part of a wider trend towards autonomous vehicle adoption in Singapore. The LTA has been actively supporting the development and testing of AVs, recognizing their potential to transform the transportation landscape. The agency’s approval of FairPrice’s AV deployment underscores its commitment to fostering innovation in this space.
Although, widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles isn’t without its hurdles. Public acceptance, regulatory frameworks, and the require for robust cybersecurity measures remain key considerations. The ongoing trial with Pokka provides valuable real-world data that will inform future policy decisions and help address these challenges.
If the trial proves successful, FairPrice Group intends to expand the use of these vehicles to encompass a wider network of suppliers, streamlining its supply chain and further reducing costs. This expansion could signal a broader shift within the retail sector, with other companies potentially following suit.
The next step for FairPrice hinges on the LTA’s final assessment of the trial data. A decision regarding the permanent removal of the safety operator is expected in the coming weeks. The outcome will be closely watched by industry observers and could pave the way for a more widespread deployment of autonomous delivery vehicles in Singapore.
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