Southeast Asia’s superapp Grab has announced a strategic equity investment in autonomous driving technology firm WeRide to expedite the rollout of Level 4 robotaxis and shuttles across the Southeast Asian region.
Grab’s investment is slated for completion by the first half of 2026, contingent upon standard closing conditions and WeRide’s scheduling preferences.
Go deeper with GlobalData
This collaboration is set to support WeRide’s strategy to expand its commercial autonomous vehicle (AV) fleet in Southeast Asia and to progress AI-driven mobility solutions.
The alliance will create a framework for the deployment of autonomous solutions across the network of Grab, with the objective of improving operational efficiency and the scalability of services.
WeRide plans to incorporate its autonomous driving technology into Grab’s fleet management, routing ecosystem, and vehicle matching systems.
Furthermore, WeRide noted that the partnership will focus on training, upskilling, and transitioning Grab driver-partners and local communities to “high-value career pathways” within the AV sector.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataGrab Group co-founder and CEO Anthony Tan said: “We want everyone in Southeast Asia to have access to reliable transportation whenever they need it. However, manpower constraints remain a challenge. We believe AVs can complement our driver network and be deployed in cities with significant driver shortages.
“We look forward to working with WeRide to extensively test their vehicles across diverse Southeast Asian environments.”
Key areas of collaboration include optimising dispatch and routing for enhanced passenger experience, maximising vehicle uptime through efficient maintenance protocols, measuring safety performance to minimise human-error accidents, and establishing remote monitoring and teleoperations for safety assurance.
Customer support and training initiatives will also be implemented to ensure a seamless transition to AV services.
Building on a memorandum of understanding signed in March, this expanded collaboration aims to evaluate the technical and commercial viability of AVs in Southeast Asia, as well as their ability to generate employment opportunities.
WeRide CEO and founder Tony Han said: “WeRide’s vision for Southeast Asia is to deploy thousands of Robotaxis across the region, through a progressive rollout aligned with local regulations and societal readiness. Grab, our newest partner and investor, is a household name in Southeast Asia with unmatched regional expertise and scale in ride-hailing and digital services.”
In a recent development, WeRide has also been granted permission to conduct late-night testing of its robotaxi service within the Beijing High-Level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Zone.
