Grab partners 4 autonomous tech firms to study self-driving vehicles in S-E Asia, including Singapore

SINGAPORE – Grab has signed agreements with four autonomous technology companies to study the potential use of self-driving buses, cars, shuttles and bots in South-east Asia, including in Singapore.

Grab’s partnerships with Autonomous a2z, Motional, WeRide and Zelos will help it study the use of autonomous vehicles (AVs) with a focus on safety, job creation and commercial viability, the ride-hailing and food delivery platform announced on March 10.

Autonomous a2z is headquartered in South Korea; Motional in Boston, Massachusetts; and WeRide in Guangzhou, China. Zelos is based in Singapore.

“We aim to learn from countries worldwide that have ongoing AV trials, with the intention of applying these insights and best practices within South-east Asia,” a Grab spokesperson told The Straits Times.

Grab said it will work with its AV partners to understand their existing operations, including safety protocols, skills and the infrastructure required to operate AVs.

Grab chief executive Anthony Tan said that through these studies, “we aim to gain a deeper understanding of how AVs can enhance our transportation ecosystem, while maintaining the essential role of our drivers and delivery partners”.

Grab said it plans to also work closely with governments and driver associations to develop “essential capabilities” related to autonomous technology.

The studies will consider the benefits of AVs in enhancing safety, such as by minimising human error and improving traffic management, and look at the skills required for jobs in the autonomous industry.

The commercial sustainability of using AVs to improve connectivity, and their “cost structure for long-term viability”, will also be considered, Grab said.

“When a meaningful and commercially viable use case is identified, we will work with AV partners and governments to explore launching a pilot programme,” the spokesperson said.

Mr Tan had said in an earnings call on Feb 20 that the firm is in “active discussions” with regulators and potential partners to adopt AVs.

In an interview with ST in February, Mr Yee Wee Tang, managing director of Grab Singapore, said the firm is open to using AVs to “fill the gaps” in its ride-hailing service, such as on routes that are less popular with drivers.

But Mr Yee said it will take “many, many years” before AVs can be rolled out in Singapore “on a big scale”. Grab Singapore did not confirm whether it is in talks with the Land Transport Authority about AVs.

This is not the first time that Grab Singapore has tested the waters when it comes to AVs. In 2016,

the company partnered start-up nuTonomy

for a two-month trial of an on-demand driverless car service for a select group of Grab users.