Grab Revolutionizes Southeast Asian Delivery Through Strategic Infermove Acquisition
Singapore-based Grab Holdings Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRAB) announced on December 19th the acquisition of Infermove, a Chinese AI robotics company that’s poised to transform last-mile delivery across Southeast Asia. With the global last-mile delivery robotics market experiencing rapid growth, with an expected market size exceeding $20 billion by 2027, this acquisition positions Grab at the forefront of automated delivery innovation.
Strategic Significance Behind Grab Acquires Infermove
The decision for Grab acquires Infermove represents more than just a technology purchase—it’s a strategic leap into the future of logistics automation. Amid rising labor costs and sustained growth in on-demand delivery demand, robotics technology and artificial intelligence have become key drivers for enhancing service reliability and maintaining profit margins.
A source from Grab’s Beijing office revealed that Suthen Thomas, Grab’s CTO, announced the acquisition of Infermove to the entire company during the global All Hands meeting in December. This announcement signals Grab delivery automation becoming a top priority for the company’s future operations.
The acquisition aligns perfectly with market pressures. Faced with the dual pressures of cost reduction and service expansion, AI-driven automation technology has emerged as a critical competitive differentiator for delivery platforms. Grab acquires Infermove specifically to address these challenges through advanced AI robotics delivery solutions.
Infermove’s Innovative AI Robotics Technology
Founded in early 2021 by Aaron Lu in a Santa Clara garage in California, Infermove later established offices in Beijing and Suzhou, China, focusing on research and development (R&D). The logistics automation startup has developed cutting-edge technology that distinguishes it from competitors.
At the center of Infermove’s technology stack is InferBrain, a proprietary Vision-Language-Action architecture that allows robots to process visual input, interpret natural language, and act in real time. This breakthrough technology enables last-mile delivery AI robots to navigate complex urban environments with unprecedented autonomy.
The company’s proprietary innovation extends beyond basic navigation. Its proprietary “Rider Shadow System” allows crowdsourced collection of robot training data using last-mile mobility devices like electric wheelchairs and riders’ electric scooters, addressing the industry-wide challenges of slow, costly data acquisition. This approach revolutionizes how AI robotics delivery systems learn and adapt.
Infermove’s robots possess remarkable capabilities. That setup enables delivery robots to complete tasks that still trip up many autonomous systems, such as entering buildings, calling elevators, and completing door-to-door drop-offs without human intervention. These advanced features make the logistics automation startup particularly valuable for urban delivery challenges.
Financial Performance and Market Position
The financial metrics behind Grab acquires Infermove reveal a company with strong growth potential. With over 1,000 outstanding orders pending delivery, Infermove expects its revenue to exceed RMB 200 million in 2026. This projected growth demonstrates the market demand for AI robotics delivery solutions.
Public records show that prior to the acquisition, Infermove had secured at least 3.3 million in funding from investors including Miracle Plus, the former China division of Y Combinator. In 2024, the company signed an investment agreement with a subsidiary of listed firm Tieda Technology, valuing the company at approximately 33 million at the time.
For Grab delivery automation, this acquisition represents strategic value beyond the purchase price. Grab Holdings’ narrative projects $5.4 billion revenue and $802.4 million earnings by 2028. This requires 20.4% yearly revenue growth and a roughly $691 million earnings increase from $111.0 million today. The Infermove acquisition supports these ambitious growth targets.
Integration Strategy and Operational Independence
Grab acquires Infermove with a clear integration strategy that preserves the startup’s innovative culture. He added that following the completion of the acquisition, Infermove will continue to operate as an independent entity under its original team, with Lu, as the key founder, reporting directly to him.
This approach ensures that the logistics automation startup maintains its technological edge while benefiting from Grab’s regional expertise. Its headquarters are in Beijing, with operations set to grow in Singapore following the acquisition. This geographical expansion supports Grab delivery automation across Southeast Asian markets.
The integration focuses on complementary strengths. 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, to complement Grab’s first- and last-mile delivery capabilities. This strategic alignment maximizes the potential of AI robotics delivery integration.
Technological Capabilities and Product Portfolio
Infermove’s product lineup demonstrates advanced AI robotics delivery capabilities. Infermove’s best-known products include its Carri series of delivery robots, built for sidewalk and indoor use and supporting end-to-end automated delivery. These systems have been designed for dense urban environments, where sidewalks, mixed traffic, and pedestrian interactions remain challenging for autonomous systems.
The technology behind these robots is particularly sophisticated. Leveraging driving data from non-motorized vehicles such as delivery riders’ electric scooters, Infermove is training mobile robots capable of adapting to complex real-world physical environments. This data-driven approach enhances last-mile delivery AI effectiveness.
Through imitation learning, reinforcement learning technologies, and self-developed end-to-end algorithms, the company enables robots to exhibit human-like operational capabilities in intricate last-mile delivery scenarios. These capabilities position the logistics automation startup as a technology leader in autonomous delivery systems.
Leadership and Industry Recognition
The leadership behind Infermove has received significant industry recognition. Founder Aaron Lu was recently named to the “2025 Forbes 100 Most Influential Chinese Elites” list, reflecting international recognition of his technological innovation and business leadership.
Lu’s background demonstrates deep expertise in autonomous systems. Prior to founding Infermove, Lu led the fully autonomous driving program at Silicon Valley-based AutoX (now renamed to Tesor Auto), overseeing the research and development (R&D), validation, and regulatory approval of the company’s first fully autonomous robotaxi product. In July 2020, he led the team to successfully develop the second ever L4-level autonomous taxi approved for fully driverless operation on public roads in California, U.S., second only to Alphabet’s Waymo.
This proven track record in autonomous vehicle development brings valuable expertise to Grab delivery automation initiatives. The combination of leadership experience and technological innovation makes the logistics automation startup an ideal acquisition target.
Market Context and Competitive Landscape
The timing of Grab acquires Infermove coincides with significant market developments. The multi year autonomous vehicle partnership with May Mobility, announced in October 2025, is the clearest recent reference point for this Infermove deal, as both point to heavier investment in automation across Grab’s ecosystem.
The broader market shows strong demand for AI robotics delivery solutions. Industry analysis reveals that automation investments are becoming essential for competitive positioning in delivery markets. Companies that fail to adopt last-mile delivery AI risk losing market share to more technologically advanced competitors.
Grab’s strategic positioning through this acquisition addresses multiple market pressures simultaneously. The logistics automation startup provides technology that reduces operational costs while improving service quality—two critical factors for success in Southeast Asia’s competitive delivery market.
Implementation Challenges and Opportunities
While Grab acquires Infermove presents significant opportunities, implementation challenges exist. However, risks remain. The robotics market is still in its early stages, and widespread adoption faces technical and regulatory hurdles. Additionally, Grab’s expansion into AI-enabled delivery could face competition from other regional players and global tech firms.
Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of AI robotics delivery are substantial. For investors, Grab’s acquisition of Infermove is a clear signal that the company is pivoting toward automation and AI-driven logistics. This move could help Grab reduce delivery costs and improve service reliability, both of which are critical in Southeast Asia’s competitive market.
The company has already begun exploring broader automation applications. The company has also announced pilot programs for autonomous electric shuttles in Singapore and drone-based delivery in the Philippines, indicating a long-term strategy to integrate AI and robotics into its operations. These initiatives demonstrate Grab delivery automation extending beyond traditional delivery methods.
Future Implications for Southeast Asian Logistics
The acquisition of the logistics automation startup signals broader changes in Southeast Asian logistics. This acquisition represents a crucial step in Grab’s efforts to advance automation within its expanding delivery and mobility network in Southeast Asia and beyond.
As last-mile delivery AI technology matures, we can expect significant transformations in how goods move through urban environments. The integration of advanced robotics with existing delivery networks will likely create new service capabilities and customer experiences.
For the broader industry, Grab acquires Infermove demonstrates that major technology companies view AI robotics delivery as essential for future competitiveness. This acquisition will likely inspire similar moves by other regional players seeking to maintain technological parity.
Conclusion and Strategic Outlook
Grab acquires Infermove represents a pivotal moment in Southeast Asian logistics evolution. By combining Grab’s regional market leadership with Infermove’s advanced AI robotics delivery technology, this acquisition creates a powerful foundation for future growth.
The strategic vision extends beyond immediate operational benefits. This partnership between a major platform company and a cutting-edge logistics automation startup demonstrates how technology integration can address fundamental industry challenges while creating new growth opportunities.
For customers, the promise of more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective delivery services becomes increasingly realistic. As these AI robotics delivery systems mature and scale across Grab’s network, they will likely transform expectations for what delivery services can accomplish.
The success of this acquisition will depend on effective integration, regulatory navigation, and continued technological innovation. However, the foundation established by Grab delivery automation through this strategic move positions the company for sustained competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving last-mile delivery AI landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Grab acquire Infermove and why?
Grab announced the acquisition of Infermove on December 19th, 2025, to enhance its automated delivery capabilities and address rising labor costs while maintaining competitive service quality in Southeast Asia’s delivery market.
What makes Infermove’s robotics technology unique?
Infermove features the proprietary InferBrain Vision-Language-Action architecture and the “Rider Shadow System” that enables robots to navigate complex urban environments, enter buildings, and complete door-to-door deliveries autonomously.
How will the acquisition impact Grab’s delivery operations?
The acquisition enables Grab to integrate AI-powered delivery robots into its first- and last-mile logistics network, potentially reducing operational costs and improving service reliability across Southeast Asian markets.
Will Infermove continue operating independently after the acquisition?
Yes, Infermove will continue operating as an independent entity under its original team, with founder Aaron Lu reporting directly to Grab’s CTO Suthen Thomas.
What is the expected revenue for Infermove in 2026?
With over 1,000 outstanding orders pending delivery, Infermove expects its revenue to exceed RMB 200 million in 2026, demonstrating strong market demand for AI robotics delivery solutions.
How large is the last-mile delivery robotics market?
Industry analysts note that the global last-mile delivery robotics market is experiencing rapid growth, with an expected market size exceeding $20 billion by 2027.
What other automation initiatives is Grab pursuing?
Beyond the Infermove acquisition, Grab has announced pilot programs for autonomous electric shuttles in Singapore and drone-based delivery in the Philippines, indicating a comprehensive strategy to integrate AI and robotics across its operations.
