Southeast Asia’s ride-hailing king, Grab announced that it partnered with autonomous driving tech company WeRide to deploy robotaxis for its fleets across the region. Though this is a major move for Grab, online responses from its driver-partners in Singapore have not been positive.
WERIDE-GRAB PARTNERSHIP
On the 15th of August, Grab released an official statement revealing WeRide’s strategic equity investment in the company. This investment is the first step in the partnership, wherein Grab will deploy fleets of WeRide’s Level 4 autonomous vehicles across Southeast Asia. It is also a part of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two companies, which was signed earlier in March this year.
“Grab’s investment is expected to be completed by the first half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and WeRide’s preferred timing. It supports WeRide’s growth strategy to expand its commercial AV fleet in Southeast Asia and advance AI-driven mobility,” said the statement.
However, the investment doesn’t stop at providing vehicles. WeRide will also “integrate its autonomous driving technology into Grab’s fleet management, vehicle matching and routing ecosystem.” Additionally, both companies will work together to train Grab’s driver-partners and help them upskill in the region of autonomous vehicles.
“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,” said Dr. Tony Han in a statement. Han is WeRide’s founder and CEO.
“Together, we will combine WeRide’s advanced AV technology and operational know-how with Grab’s strengths to accelerate safe, efficient Robotaxi services, enter new markets, and reinforce our first-mover leadership in shaping the future of mobility,” he added.
DRIVER-PARTNERS
Though Grab specified that it would offer its program to interested driver-partners, private-hire vehicle (PHV) drivers did not receive the news positively. Online publication The Independent reported on driver responses from the Facebook group, “Professional PHV Drivers Singapore.”
“Robotaxi… Grab takes 100% fare… pays tax to the government… this will be the future. It’s only a matter of time…” one disappointed commenter said.
“Drivers helped build this company, and now… Cross the bridge and dismantle it,” read another comment.
Members of the group expressed concern and frustration over the future of their industry and jobs as PHV drivers now that autonomous robotaxis are on the way to becoming commercialised in Southeast Asia.
Grab specified in its statement that it plans to integrate both new technology and driver-partners. Presently, there is no mention of total replacement of the human side of its operations.
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