On August 15th, WeRide, a pioneering autonomous driving technology company, announced the receipt of tens of millions of dollars in equity investment from Grab, the all-encompassing app in Southeast Asia.

Earlier this year, in March, the two companies signed a letter of intent for collaboration, embarking on a process of situation assessment and technical validation.

The investment is anticipated to conclude no later than the first half of 2026, with the exact closing date to be determined by WeRide based on its preferred timing and transaction conditions. Established in 2017, WeRide stands as the world's first Robotaxi company, specializing in autonomous driving. It has conducted autonomous driving test drives in 30 cities across 10 countries globally and secured several foreign licenses (including China, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, France, and the United States). Currently, WeRide has transitioned into the commercial operation phase of autonomous driving.

Grab, on the other hand, is akin to a combination of "WeChat + Meituan + Alipay" in Southeast Asia, with its business spanning online car-hailing, food delivery, mobile payments, and other sectors. With a vast user base and significant market influence in Southeast Asia, Grab has firmly established itself as a regional giant.

According to the collaboration plan between the two parties, L4-level Robotaxi vehicles and services will be deployed on a large scale in the future, making "self-driving taxis" a common sight in Southeast Asia and offering local users more convenient, efficient, and safe travel options.

This partnership epitomizes a "technology + channel" fusion: WeRide provides the autonomous vehicles and technology, while Grab leverages its extensive platform, GrabAPP, in Southeast Asia. Users will not need to download a new app; they can hail a taxi through built-in options and make payments directly using the Grab wallet.

Southeast Asia is characterized by frequent rainy days, numerous motorcycles, and complex road conditions. WeRide has localized its algorithms to ensure that autonomous vehicles maintain clear vision even in heavy rain and remain composed when encountering suddenly appearing motorcycles.

Moreover, addressing the concerns of many ride-hailing drivers in Southeast Asia who fear that autonomous vehicles will displace them, WeRide and Grab have announced plans to assist drivers in their transition. This includes training them to remotely assist autonomous vehicles in resolving issues, transforming from drivers to vehicle managers, thus preserving their jobs while upgrading their skills.

Commenting on this partnership, the leaders of both companies were candid. Han Xu of WeRide stated that the objective is to deploy thousands of autonomous taxis in Southeast Asia, emphasizing, "Grab's unparalleled local popularity, combined with our technology, will undoubtedly secure us a strong foothold in the region."

Chen Bingyao of Grab was even more direct, stating that the current pressing issue in Southeast Asia is a shortage of drivers. "Driverless vehicles can fill this gap, and with each journey, they become safer as they hone their skills in complex road conditions," he said.

In summary, users in Southeast Asia can look forward to cheaper rides and shorter wait times in the future. Concurrently, the region's autonomous driving technology will also experience significant growth. For us, this partnership signifies the international brilliance of Chinese autonomous vehicle technology.

Now, all we need to do is wait for the funds to be fully in place by 2026 and witness the first "WeRide + Grab" autonomous taxi pick up its first passenger.