Grab has entered into memorandums of understanding (MOU) with four autonomous tech firms to investigate the potential impact and role of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in Southeast Asia. The companies involved are Autonomous A2Z, Motional, WeRide, and Zelos.
Grab co-founder and group CEO Anthony Tan noted the rapid advancement of AV technology. Meanwhile, its impact on the region’s transportation landscape remains “largely unexplored,” he said.
“We aim to gain a deeper understanding of how autonomous vehicles can enhance our transportation ecosystem while maintaining the essential role of our drivers and delivery partners,” Tan said.
The studies will primarily focus on safety and accident reduction, job creation and workforce transition, and commercial sustainability. The latter will involve evaluating the operational conditions of AV services and analyzing their cost structure to ensure long-term viability.
