Grab embraces AI as it rolls out several new features, including own map system, smart assistant
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Grab chief executive Anthony Tan speaking at the second iteration of the GrabX event in Jakarta on April 8.
ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
DeeperDive is a beta AI feature. Refer to full articles for the facts.
- Grab introduces GrabMaps for consumers with real-time info on parking, EV chargers, and public transport in six South-east Asian countries.
- Grab launches AI Assistant to simplify tasks like restaurant searches and grocery shopping via voice notes; Singapore gets it first.
- CEO Anthony Tan emphasises Grab's AI focus to empower South-east Asians, bridging the tech gap and enhancing daily life.
AI generated
JAKARTA – Navigating different countries – and malls – in Singapore and the rest of South-east Asia has become easier with a new map feature on the Grab application.
It will show you where the nearest electric vehicle charger is, help you find your way around malls and even remind you when to leave your home – using data in your phone’s calendar app – so you can get to appointments on time.
This and 12 other new features – all powered by artificial intelligence – were unveiled on April 8 at GrabX, the company’s annual product showcase. The 2026 edition was held at the Shangri-La Jakarta.
The features will be available in six of the eight countries that Grab operates in: Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The other two are Cambodia and Myanmar.
“We are living in a world where humans who don’t embrace AI will very likely be displaced. This is not a dystopian future, folks, it is a reality we must confront today,” said Grab chief executive Anthony Tan on AI.
He added that the technology should not be limited to those who know how to use it nor those who can afford it. To that end, Grab aims for its technology to empower those in South-east Asia, he said.
Another feature announced was the Grab AI Assistant, which the operator said aims to “reduce the mental load of daily life”.
It allows users to search for restaurants by keying in requirements such as group sizes and dietary restrictions, among other things.
Singapore will be the first country in the region to get this feature, which is slated to be rolled out in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam by the end of the year.
Baked into the assistant is a shopping agent, which is meant to accelerate the process of buying daily necessities.
Rather than manually searching for items across different stores, users can simply send over a voice note or a list of items. The assistant will then fill up their cart with what they need.
Mr Philipp Kandal, the chief product officer of Grab, said: “I believe AI should work the hardest for the people who need it the most.
“We want the Grab app to be the everyday guide that handles the manual tasks, so you can focus on your day.”
AI has been used by Grab before, such as in its safety feature for Teen accounts.
Announced in 2025, the AI listens for signs of distress, including tyre screeches or arguments in the middle of rides.
These are then flagged for human intervention and build on existing trip monitoring analytics that flag if a ride has suspiciously stopped or veered off-course.
In addition, the operator in 2026 committed to equipping 10,000 drivers and merchants with AI skills in the hopes of boosting sales and productivity, as well as for day-to-day use.
What Singapore users can expect
Out of the 13 features announced, Singapore will have access to 10 of them.
For those who often share rides with other people and have multiple destinations set, the new Group Ride feature will function akin to group orders, with a maximum of four passengers.
Whether travelling from different pick-up points to the same destination or getting from the same place to different locations, this feature will let passengers split the bill in three ways.
Previously, only one person could book such trips with multiple destinations. The one who made the booking would be the one footing the bill.
With this new feature, either one person pays, the amount is split equally or each passenger pays an amount that is calculated based on the distance travelled, as well as traffic conditions and the time spent on their route.
Citing the example of a group of colleagues getting to and from work, Mr Kandal said the feature would help users save money, and is “perfectly fitting” amid the current fuel crisis.
Meanwhile, for those who frequently travel around the region, the new GrabPay for Travel will eliminate the need to download separate apps for payments made through QR codes.
The feature will roll out in the Philippines and Malaysia by the third quarter of 2026, followed by Singapore and Thailand by the end of the year.
