WeRide has announced that Grab, a superapp in Southeast Asia, has committed to a strategic equity investment in WeRide. The investment is part of a strategic partnership between the two companies to accelerate the deployment and commercialization of Level 4 robotaxis and shuttles in Southeast Asia, and will see the integration of WeRide’s autonomous vehicles (AVs) into Grab’s network.
Grab’s investment is expected to be completed by the first half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and WeRide’s preferred timing.
The partnership will establish a framework for deploying autonomous solutions across Grab’s network, to enhance operational efficiency and scalability. WeRide will integrate its autonomous driving technology into Grab’s fleet management, vehicle matching and routing ecosystem. In addition, WeRide and Grab will train, upskill and transition interested Grab driver-partners and local communities to high-value career pathways within the AV industry.
“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,” said Dr Tony Han, founder and chief executive officer of WeRide. “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. 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.”
“We want everyone in Southeast Asia to have access to reliable transportation whenever they need it,” added Anthony Tan, group chief executive officer and co-founder of Grab. “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. This will allow us to gain valuable insights into their real-world performance, adapt the technology to further enhance safety and reliability, and meet the region’s unique needs.”
A scalable approach to the deployment and management of AVs
WeRide will collaborate with Grab on the technical and operational requirements for end-to-end integration into Grab’s fleet management system. Through the partnership, WeRide aims to optimize dispatch and routing by combining the capabilities of both platforms to efficiently deploy and manage autonomous vehicles. The firm will also focus on developing protocols for maintenance, repair and charging to enhance operational efficiency, while implementing systems for safety performance measurement, remote monitoring, teleoperations and customer support. The collaboration will also include training and upskilling initiatives, drawing on WeRide’s experience in AV remote supervision.
In related news, WeRide has received approval to conduct late-night testing of its robotaxi on public roads within the Beijing high-level autonomous driving demonstration zone from 10pm to 7am. Read the full story here.