Singapore-based SINGAUTO is preparing to deploy autonomous refrigerated vehicles at a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in China, combining electric mobility with intelligent logistics and precision temperature control.
SINGAPORE – When most people think of autonomous vehicles, self-driving taxis and futuristic passenger cars usually spring to mind. But what if the technology could prove just as valuable behind the scenes, transporting temperature-sensitive medicines without anyone behind the wheel?
SINGAUTO has announced plans to deploy customised, fully electric driverless cold-chain vehicles at a major international pharmaceutical manufacturer’s facility in Jiangsu, China. Installation is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026, with commissioning and vehicle acceptance expected in the first quarter of 2027.
A Different Kind Of Autonomous Driving
Based on SINGAUTO’s S1 platform, the vehicles are designed to transport temperature-sensitive raw materials, intermediate products and finished medicines within pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. Unlike conventional delivery vehicles, these machines are intended to operate autonomously, navigating between loading areas while maintaining precise temperature conditions.
To address these requirements, SINGAUTO has integrated independently temperature-controlled cargo compartments with continuous digital monitoring of vehicle movements, cargo temperatures and equipment status. The system is designed to reduce manual handling, minimise human error and maintain detailed operational records.
“Pharmaceutical cold-chain logistics demands reliable temperature control, end-to-end data traceability, multiple layers of safety and close integration with manufacturing infrastructure. This project represents an important commercial step for SINGAUTO as we expand our offering to pharmaceutical and industrial customers internationally.”
SINGAUTO spokesperson
Technology That Goes Beyond The Vehicle
SINGAUTO’s SVCS Intelligent Fleet Management Platform handles automated vehicle dispatch, real-time monitoring and data collection. The system also maintains secure audit trails to support Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) traceability requirements.
For navigation, the vehicles use a combination of LiDAR, radar, AI-enabled cameras, infrared sensors and high-precision positioning technology. These systems work together to detect obstacles, navigate manufacturing environments and dock accurately at designated loading points.
Perhaps more interestingly, the vehicles can communicate directly with the facility’s infrastructure. Automated doors can coordinate with approaching vehicles, allowing them to move between designated areas without manual intervention while helping preserve separation between temperature-controlled zones.
Charging is similarly automated, with the vehicles capable of docking at charging stations independently. Centralised battery monitoring and off-peak charging management are intended to support continuous fleet operations while reducing the need for human involvement.
Expanding Beyond Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
For SINGAUTO, the Jiangsu deployment represents an important step towards commercialising its autonomous cold-chain technology internationally.
Headquartered in Singapore, the company specialises in electric refrigerated commercial vehicles and logistics solutions for transporting temperature-sensitive goods. Its longer-term ambitions extend beyond pharmaceutical manufacturing to include vaccine production facilities, life sciences campuses and cold-chain logistics parks.
The company also intends to expand its vehicle portfolio, develop multi-vehicle fleet management capabilities and establish partnerships with engineering and systems integration providers across different markets. These initiatives are intended to support the deployment of customised autonomous logistics solutions according to individual operational requirements.
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