Leading global autonomous driving technology company WeRide has announced a major strategic cooperation with Southeast Asia's super app platform Grab. The two companies will deploy large-scale L4-level autonomous taxis (Robotaxi) and other autonomous vehicles on the Grab platform network. This collaboration marks the beginning of large-scale commercial operation of driverless mobility services in Southeast Asia.
According to the cooperation agreement, Grab will make a multi-million dollar equity investment in WeRide, with the funds expected to be completed by the first half of 2026. This investment will be specifically used to support WeRide in expanding its commercial autonomous vehicle fleet in the Southeast Asian market and accelerating the development of AI-driven mobility solutions.
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WeRide plans to leverage Grab's large user base and mature operating network to gradually deploy thousands of Robotaxi in the Southeast Asian market. The company's founder and CEO, Han Xu, stated that they will adopt a progressive market expansion strategy, taking into account local regulatory environments and social acceptance. Grab co-founder and CEO Chen Bingyao expressed great anticipation for this collaboration. He believes that autonomous vehicles can effectively complement the existing driver network, significantly improving the accessibility of mobility services, especially in areas with a shortage of drivers.
The scope of the collaboration goes beyond vehicle deployment, involving in-depth cooperation in technology and operations. The collaboration includes optimizing scheduling and route planning algorithms, improving vehicle utilization, and strengthening safety performance evaluation systems. WeRide's autonomous driving technology will be deeply integrated into Grab's fleet management and route planning system, achieving seamless integration between technology and the platform.
Notably, both parties have also developed detailed social responsibility plans, providing career transition training for local drivers and community members to help them smoothly enter the autonomous driving industry, ensuring technological progress while considering employment transition needs.
WeRide has established a strong market competitiveness in the global autonomous driving field. The company currently conducts R&D and operational activities in multiple countries and cities and has shown outstanding performance in various international rankings. Grab, as the largest super app platform in Southeast Asia, has extensive layouts in the fields of transportation, delivery, and digital financial services. Its rich operational data and market experience will provide valuable support for WeRide's technology application.
The significance of this strategic cooperation extends beyond the commercial deployment of autonomous vehicles, but will also promote the digital upgrade of mobility services across Southeast Asia, bringing millions of users a safer, more convenient, and smarter travel experience. As the cooperation continues to deepen, Southeast Asia is expected to become one of the important markets for the commercial application of autonomous driving technology globally.
