Grab Invests in WeRide for Autonomous Driving Technology in Southeast Asia.

WeRide, a global leader in autonomous driving technology, announced a strategic equity investment from Grab, Southeast Asia's leading superapp. The investment will accelerate the deployment and commercialization of Level 4 Robotaxis and shuttles in Southeast Asia. The partnership aims to integrate WeRide's autonomous vehicles into Grab's network to enhance service and safety levels. Grab's investment is expected to be completed by mid-2026.

WeRide, a global leader in autonomous driving technology, has announced a significant strategic equity investment from Grab, Southeast Asia's leading superapp. The investment is part of a broader partnership aimed at deploying and commercializing Level 4 Robotaxis and autonomous shuttles across Southeast Asia. This strategic collaboration will integrate WeRide's advanced autonomous vehicles (AVs) into Grab's extensive network, enhancing service efficiency and safety.

The partnership, which is expected to be completed by mid-2026, will focus on several key areas. These include optimizing dispatch and routing, maximizing vehicle uptime, measuring safety performance, implementing remote monitoring, and developing comprehensive customer support systems. By leveraging Grab's fleet management, vehicle matching, and routing ecosystem, WeRide's technology will be seamlessly integrated into Grab's operations.

One of the primary goals of this partnership is to address driver shortages in Southeast Asian cities. The collaboration will create new career opportunities in the AV industry for Grab's driver-partners, transitioning them into high-value roles within the technology sector. This shift is part of a broader effort to ensure that Southeast Asia has access to reliable transportation while addressing labor constraints.

Dr. Tony Han, Founder and CEO of WeRide, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: "WeRide's vision for Southeast Asia is to deploy thousands of Robotaxis across the region, aligned with local regulations and societal readiness. Grab's expertise and scale in ride-hailing and digital services make them the perfect partner to accelerate safe, efficient Robotaxi services and reinforce our leadership in shaping the future of mobility."

Anthony Tan, Group CEO and Co-Founder of Grab, echoed this sentiment: "We want everyone in Southeast Asia to have access to reliable transportation. 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, gaining valuable insights into their real-world performance and adapting the technology to meet the region's unique needs."

This strategic collaboration builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in March 2025, where WeRide and Grab committed to exploring the technical feasibility, commercial viability, and job creation potential of AVs in the region. The partnership is designed to be scalable, ensuring that the deployment and management of AVs are efficient and effective.

References:
[1] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/WRD/we-ride-secures-strategic-equity-investment-from-grab-partners-to-zg54bhxy0zzz.html
[2] https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/08/15/3134123/0/en/WeRide-Secures-Strategic-Equity-Investment-from-Grab-Partners-to-Deploy-Robotaxis-and-Autonomous-Shuttles-in-Southeast-Asia.html