Grab Deploys Delivery Robots to Tackle Singapore’s Last‑Mile Bottleneck

Delivery Robots Pilot in Punggol

Grab is set to roll out its first delivery robots in Singapore’s Punggol district by late 2026, aiming to alleviate the city‑state’s chronic labour shortage in the gig economy. The autonomous units, dubbed “Carri”, will handle the final ↑ 10% of a delivery – the stretch from curb to doorstep – a segment that accounts for roughly one‑tenth of a driver’s shift. Over ↑ 70% of Grab’s orders exceed two kilometres, yet the pre‑ and post‑journey steps remain the most tedious for riders.

“We see AVs as really useful in supply‑constrained markets,” CTO Suthen Paradatheth told Reuters at the Asia Tech summit.

Seven other firms, from global carrier DHL to home‑grown startup Quikbot, will test parallel solutions ranging from parcel drops to cleaning bots. While Grab concentrates on food, rivals will explore parcel and security patrol automation.

Data Gains from Robot Fleet

Paradatheth argues that robots will enrich Grab’s city‑wide logistics map, complementing data already gathered from human couriers and merchants. “Grab already has a bird’s eye view on material flows,” he said, noting that the added robot layer could unlock new optimisation levers.

Singapore’s Digital Development Minister Josephine Teo echoed the sentiment, stressing that robotic assistance can expand service reach into pandemic-induced underserved zones.

Grab’s broader AI push includes a partnership with Chinese self‑driving firm WeRide and an investment in several AV startups. CEO Anthony Tan has warned that automation will reshape jobs, creating roles such as remote safety monitors and data annotators.

In parallel, OpenAI’s 2024 deal with Grab aims to sharpen mapping and customer support, while Nvidia’s new Singapore research hub promises faster embodied‑AI hardware, a development noted by Bloomberg.

Analysis by: Dr. Aris Thorne

Artificial Intelligence Researcher