Singapore-based tech giant Grab Holdings Ltd (NASDAQ: GRAB) (FRA: A6I) announced last week that it has acquired Chinese robotics firm Infermove. The aim of the takeover is to help revolutionize its delivery operations.
The deal focuses on integrating advanced robotics to enhance efficiency in an increasingly competitive market. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Grab’s primary goals include bolstering first and last-mile delivery capabilities where logistics often face bottlenecks, and creating smarter connections between online platforms and physical services. By automating these segments, Grab seeks to reduce costs, speed up deliveries and make customers happier with its ride-hailing and delivery offerings.
Infermove’s tech could play a pivotal role in achieving these objectives through its autonomous robots, such as the Carri series, designed for seamless indoor-outdoor navigation in urban street settings. These robots can independently use elevators, traverse buildings and complete door-to-door deliveries. They help to address challenges like traffic congestion and labour shortages. Infermove has completed more than 100,000 delivery tasks with them to date.
For Grab, this means complementing human couriers with reliable automation, potentially scaling operations across Southeast Asia while improving the customer experience.
“As we are constantly looking for new ways to bridge online and offline in better and smarter ways, we see the opportunity to further develop Infermove’s solutions out of Singapore,” said a Grab representative in a statement sent to Reuters on Jan. 6, “to complement Grab’s first- and last-mile delivery capabilities.”
The acquisition aligns with Grab’s push toward tech-driven innovation, allowing it to handle growing demand for contactless services post-COVID.
Read more: AgiBot launches miniature humanoid robot you can carry in a backpack
A sophisticated multi-purpose mobile application
Grab is Southeast Asia’s leading “superapp.” It was founded in 2012 as a ride-hailing service and eventually evolved into a multifaceted platform offering food and parcel delivery, financial services and more.
In the delivery industry, it commands a dominant status, holding over 50 per cent market share in food delivery across the region, with strong growth in markets like Vietnam. In addition to Grab’s presence in cities like Hanoi and within its home nation of Singapore, the company is a dominant force in the Malaysian delivery and ride hailing industries.
Competing with rivals like Indonesia’s GoTo Gojek Tokopedia PT Tbk (IDX: GOTO), Grab serves millions daily, leveraging data and partnerships to maintain its edge in a multi-billion-dollar digital economy.
Infermove, meanwhile, is a startup specializing in AI-enabled robotics for end-to-end delivery in busy cities. It has raised millions to develop solutions that automate logistics in complex settings.
The latest acquisition builds on momentum made possible through Grab’s new collaboration with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co Ltd (OTCMKTS: GNZUF) (FRA: 02G), a Chinese automaker, announced on Jan. 8. Together, they plan to deploy up to 20,000 electric vehicles across Southeast Asia over the next two years.
$GRAB's expanding to Physical AI | B2B Infermove 🧵
Context: I learnt today, that $GRAB acquired Infermove, but Infermove will continue to operate as an independent entity under its original team. This has massive implications medium to long term, while completing $GRAB… https://t.co/7taNrNWrP0 pic.twitter.com/EwNNNrraNc
— Mike (@MikeLongTerm) January 6, 2026
Read more: Martial arts tech fail: Chinese man gets kicked in the nuts by Unitree robot
Follow Rowan Dunne on LinkedIn
rowan@mugglehead.com
