All aboard! Singapore now to try out self-driving buses

TO GO WITH Singapore-transport-train, Train service staff help stranded passengers to board a shuttle bus in Singapore on December 17, 2011 after train services across several stations along the North-South line were disrupted. Singapore's troubled metro system was hit by a fresh disruption on December 17 less than two days after a severe breakdown that required emergency evacuations of people trapped in trains. AFP PHOTO / SIMIN WANG

SINGAPORE: Singapore signed an agreement to start testing self-driving buses, as the city-state pushes ahead with its vision of using autonomous technology to help deal with the challenges posed by its limited land and labour. 

Countries around the world are encouraging the development of such technologies, and high-density Singapore is hoping driverless vehicles will prompt its residents to use more shared vehicles and public transport.