Grab launches delivery robot pilot in Singapore to address supply constraints and last-mile challenges

(SeaPRwire) –   Grab views autonomous vehicles as a potential remedy for labor shortages in regions like Singapore, where high costs and limited manpower hinder the expansion of delivery networks across the densely populated city-state.

As part of a broader strategic move into physical AI and robotics, the Southeast Asian tech firm plans to pilot its inaugural delivery robot in Singapore’s Punggol district by late 2026.

“We view AVs as highly beneficial in markets where supply is constrained,” stated chief technology officer Suthen Paradatheth during an interview at the Asia Tech (ATx) summit on May 20. “Certain passenger segments remain underserved because they are located in remote areas where drivers are less frequently available.”

Grab will join seven other organizations, including DHL and the local startup Quikbot, in testing their technologies within Punggol, which serves as Singapore’s hub for embodied AI development. While Grab’s robots are dedicated to food delivery, other participants will focus on automating security patrols, cleaning, and parcel logistics.

The new robot from Grab, dubbed Carri, is designed to automate the final stage of delivery—such as transporting a package from the curb to a customer’s doorstep—a task that Grab estimates accounts for 10% of a driver’s total working time.

“While over 70% of our deliveries exceed two kilometers, it is the segments before and after the main journey that prove tedious for drivers,” Paradatheth noted during an ATx summit panel. “This is where we believe robots can provide significant value.”

Grab intends to utilize these robots as an additional data source to augment the information already gathered from merchants and human drivers. “Grab already possesses a comprehensive overview of service and material flows throughout the city,” Paradatheth explained. “Integrating robots will provide us with richer real-time data, creating further opportunities for optimization.”

“We are establishing an integrated data platform and designing renewable test scenarios and regulations to ensure robots can operate safely throughout the district,” said Josephine Teo, Singapore’s minister for digital development and information, at the ATx summit. She added that robotics can assist human workers in broadening service reach, particularly in underserved areas.

Grab’s AI push

Grab is collaborating with the Chinese automated driving company WeRide to deploy Singapore’s first autonomous vehicle fleet, beginning with a self-driving shuttle bus operating in a local residential estate. The company has also invested in several AV startups, including May Mobility, Momenta, and WeRide.

Company executives have previously addressed potential labor displacement caused by autonomous driving. “We anticipate the emergence of new job categories. For instance, drivers could transition into roles such as remote safety operators, data labelers, or technicians for LiDAR and camera systems,” CEO Anthony Tan stated during an earnings call last November.

Paradatheth aims to transition Grab toward what he describes as “cyborgization,” a workplace environment where humans and agents collaborate. “Ninety percent of our engineers utilize AI-assisted coding tools on a daily basis,” he said. “We are establishing the foundation for supervised autonomous software development, where agents handle tasks that are then reviewed by humans before deployment.”

In 2024, Grab entered into a partnership with ChatGPT creator OpenAI to enhance mapping, accessibility, and customer support services.

On May 20, OpenAI announced a 300 million Singapore dollar ($234 million) investment to bolster Singapore’s AI capabilities, which includes the establishment of its first applied AI lab outside the United States. Additionally, Nvidia unveiled a Singapore-based research center for embodied AI, aiming to partner with government agencies, industry players, and local universities to improve the efficiency of AI infrastructure.