‍Robotaxis, roll out! WeRide, a China-based autonomous driving technology firm, recently announced that they received strategic equity investment from Grab. 

• The partnership will accelerate the deployment and commercialization of Level 4 robotaxis and shuttles in SEA. 

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🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 On the table

As part of the collaboration, WeRide will integrate their autonomous solutions across Grab’s network to enhance operational efficiency and scalability.

• They’ll work together to optimize Grab’s dispatch and routing, maximizing vehicle uptime, measuring safety performance, remote monitoring and teleoperations, customer service, and training and upskilling. 
• Grab will also leverage WeRide’s regional operational experience to train autonomous vehicles (AVs) to navigate SEA’s traffic conditions. 

Why it matters. Grab was awarded a taxi operator license in Singapore last April!

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🚶🏼 Solving the manpower challenge

The partnership solves manpower constraints in Grab’s mission to provide access to reliable transportation in SEA.

• Always stressed that there are no drivers around? Anthony Tan, co-founder and Group CEO of Grab, said that AVs can complement their driver network and be deployed in cities with major driver shortages.

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🚖 What’s next? 

Grab’s investment is expected to be completed by the first half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and WeRide’s preferred timing. 

• Oh, and the duo will train, upskill, and transition interested Grab driver-partners and local communities to career pathways within the AV industry.