Grab Invests in May Mobility, Paving the Way for Robotaxis in Southeast Asia
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Grab invests in May Mobility as robotaxi startup expands to Southeast Asia
The startup's self-driving technology will be integrated into Grab's fleet management, vehicle matching, and routing systems. This is May Mobility's third partnership in the ride-hailing industry, following its recent tie-up with Lyft to launch self-driving cars in Atlanta, and an upcoming rollout with Uber in the United States. May Mobility said on Thursday it has secured a significant equity investment from Singapore-based ridehailing firm Grab, as part of the robotaxi startup's move to expand in Southeast Asia next year. The startup's self-driving technology will be integrated into Grab's fleet management, vehicle matching, and routing systems. The deal is a step toward the commercial deployment of robotaxis globally, creating a blueprint for how self-driving taxis are managed within existing ride-hailing platforms. May Mobility declined to provide further details on Grab's equity stake in the startup. This is May Mobility's third partnership in the ride-hailing industry, following its recent tie-up with Lyft to launch self-driving cars in Atlanta, and an upcoming rollout with Uber in the United States. May Mobility, which began commercial rides earlier this year in the U.S. without the presence of a human driver, will leverage GrabMaps - Grab's mapping technology - to study Southeast Asian roads to ensure safe deployment. GrabMaps uses artificial intelligence to process data from Southeast Asian cities to deliver accurate hyperlocal maps that are updated in real time. In November 2023, May Mobility secured a 10 billion yen ($65.8 million) investment from Japan's NTT as part of a push to advance autonomous driving. NTT also announced plans to test self-driving buses and taxis with Toyota Motor this year. In September, Grab was selected by a Singaporean district to operate autonomous shuttle service routes in the area, for which the company has partnered with Chinese robotaxi firm WeRide, expecting deployment early next year. May Mobility currently uses modified Toyota Siennas for smaller rides and high-capacity Italian Tecnobus autonomous electric minibuses for higher-density routes.
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Grab invests in May Mobility as robotaxi startup expands to Southeast Asia - VnExpress International
The startup's self-driving technology will be integrated into Grab's fleet management, vehicle matching, and routing systems, May Mobility said Thursday . The deal is a step toward the commercial deployment of robotaxis globally, creating a blueprint for how self-driving taxis are managed within existing ride-hailing platforms. May Mobility declined to provide further details on Grab's equity stake in the startup. This is May Mobility's third partnership in the ride-hailing industry, following its recent tie-up with Lyft to launch self-driving cars in Atlanta, and an upcoming rollout with Uber in the United States. May Mobility, which began commercial rides earlier this year in the U.S. without the presence of a human driver, will leverage GrabMaps - Grab's mapping technology - to study Southeast Asian roads to ensure safe deployment. GrabMaps uses artificial intelligence to process data from Southeast Asian cities to deliver accurate hyperlocal maps that are updated in real time. In November 2023, May Mobility secured a 10 billion yen ($65.8 million) investment from Japan's NTT as part of a push to advance autonomous driving. NTT also announced plans to test self-driving buses and taxis with Toyota Motor this year. In September, Grab was selected by a Singaporean district to operate autonomous shuttle service routes in the area, for which the company has partnered with Chinese robotaxi firm WeRide, expecting deployment early next year. May Mobility currently uses modified Toyota Siennas for smaller rides and high-capacity Italian Tecnobus autonomous electric minibuses for higher-density routes.
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Singapore-based ride-hailing giant Grab has made a significant equity investment in May Mobility, a US robotaxi startup. This partnership aims to bring self-driving taxi services to Southeast Asia, integrating May Mobility's technology with Grab's existing platforms.
Grab's Strategic Investment in May Mobility
Singapore-based ride-hailing giant Grab has made a significant equity investment in May Mobility, a US-based robotaxi startup, marking a major step towards the introduction of autonomous vehicles in Southeast Asia's transportation landscape
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. This partnership aims to integrate May Mobility's self-driving technology into Grab's existing fleet management, vehicle matching, and routing systems, creating a blueprint for the commercial deployment of robotaxis within established ride-hailing platforms2
.Technological Integration and Expansion
May Mobility plans to leverage GrabMaps, Grab's proprietary mapping technology, to study and navigate Southeast Asian roads safely. GrabMaps utilizes artificial intelligence to process real-time data from Southeast Asian cities, providing accurate and up-to-date hyperlocal maps crucial for autonomous vehicle operation
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. This collaboration is set to commence in 2025, with both companies working towards a seamless integration of autonomous vehicles into the existing transportation ecosystem.May Mobility's Growing Partnerships
The investment from Grab represents May Mobility's third major partnership in the ride-hailing industry. The company recently launched self-driving cars in Atlanta in collaboration with Lyft and has an upcoming rollout planned with Uber in the United States
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. These strategic alliances demonstrate the increasing interest and investment in autonomous vehicle technology within the ride-hailing sector.Autonomous Vehicle Deployment and Testing
May Mobility has already begun commercial rides in the US without human drivers, showcasing the advanced state of their technology. The company utilizes modified Toyota Siennas for smaller rides and high-capacity Italian Tecnobus autonomous electric minibuses for higher-density routes
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. This diverse fleet allows for flexibility in addressing various transportation needs and urban environments.Related Stories
Grab's Autonomous Ambitions
Prior to this investment, Grab had already shown interest in autonomous vehicle technology. In September, the company was selected to operate autonomous shuttle service routes in a Singaporean district, partnering with Chinese robotaxi firm WeRide for a deployment expected in early 2025 . This latest investment in May Mobility further solidifies Grab's commitment to integrating self-driving technology into its services.
Industry Momentum and Future Prospects
The autonomous vehicle industry is gaining significant traction, with various players making strategic moves. In November 2023, May Mobility secured a 10 billion yen ($65.8 million) investment from Japan's NTT to advance autonomous driving technology
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. Additionally, NTT announced plans to test self-driving buses and taxis with Toyota Motor this year, indicating a broader industry push towards autonomous transportation solutions.References
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