Grab Holdings acquires AI robotics firm to accelerate delivery automation across Southeast Asia

Grab Holdings Accelerates Strategic Expansion into AI with Infermove Acquisition

Grab Holdings shares climbed 3.54% on Tuesday, closing at $5.27 on trading volume of 70.7 million shares—approximately 52% above its three-month average 2

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. The Singapore-based superapp for rides and deliveries is making an aggressive push into artificial intelligence through its AI robotics acquisition of China-based Infermove, a move designed to transform delivery automation across Southeast Asia 1

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The acquisition, disclosed in December, targets both first-mile and last-mile logistics capabilities across Grab's expanding delivery and mobility network. This strategic expansion into AI positions the company to compete more effectively in a market that industry analysts project could reach $20 billion by 2027 2

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AI-Powered Robots Transform Automated Delivery Services

Infermove's Carri robots represent a significant technological leap for Grab's operational capabilities. These AI-powered robots utilize driving data, imitation learning, and reinforcement learning to navigate unpredictable environments such as sidewalks while delivering food orders or groceries 2

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. The mobile manipulation robots can be deployed across multiple applications, including warehousing and retail operations, extending their utility beyond traditional delivery functions.

The integration of these autonomous systems addresses a critical challenge in the logistics sector: efficiently managing the complex final stages of delivery where human labor costs remain high. By automating these processes, Grab aims to reduce operational expenses while improving delivery speed and reliability across its network.

Autonomous Vehicle Testing Expands Grab's AI Capabilities

Beyond robotics, Grab received approval from Singapore's Land Transport Authority in November to begin autonomous vehicle testing with WeRide's full Autonomously Intelligent Ride fleet in the Punggol district 1

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. AV services are expected to start public service by early 2026, marking a significant milestone in the company's automation strategy.

This development follows Grab's multi-year collaboration with May Mobility to introduce AV services across Southeast Asia, with plans to invest in May Mobility's expansion into the global autonomous ride-hail market beyond the U.S. and Japan 1

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. The company also plans to introduce autonomous robobuses in Singapore in early 2026 and explore ways to retrain human drivers for emerging technology-focused roles.

Market Position and Growth Trajectory

Grab has grown sales by 17% annually over the last five years and recently reached profitability, positioning it as a promising growth stock despite trading 56% below its 2020 IPO price 2

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. The company's aggressive moves into last-mile robotics delivery and autonomous vehicles signal its intent to maintain competitive advantages in the rapidly evolving transportation and logistics landscape.

The robotics delivery market opportunity presents substantial upside potential. With the market projected to reach $20 billion by 2027, Grab's early investment in Infermove and its Carri robots could prove strategically valuable as automated delivery services become increasingly mainstream across Southeast Asia and beyond.