U see Robo will not kpkb like coolie genes… Grab is preparing to Huat Big Big for next growth phase

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Drivers helped build this company, and now… drivers no longer partners?’ — PHV drivers react to Grab investing in WeRide to bring robotaxis to Southeast Asia​


Nick Karean
ByNick Karean
August 17, 2025
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SINGAPORE: Step aside, human drivers. Your new colleague doesn’t need sleep, snacks, or small talk.

Grab, Southeast Asia’s ride-hailing juggernaut and reigning superapp, has just made a Press Release announcement of a strategic equity investment in Chinese autonomous driving giant WeRide. The move, also revealed in a joint announcement reported by Tech in Asia, is aimed at rolling out Level 4 robotaxis and autonomous shuttles across Southeast Asia — and possibly reshaping urban transport as we know it.
 
That’s the future knocking. Robotaxis. In Southeast Asia. The region that’s famous for chaotic traffic, street food stalls in the fast lane, and grabby Grab drivers (pun intended).

What’s level 4 autonomy?​

Level 4 means the vehicle can drive itself without human input — in specific conditions or geofenced areas. No driver’s hands. No nervous brake-pumping. Just sensors, software, and sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI). Think Tesla, but with less hype and hopefully fewer exploding batteries.

According to WeRide’s CEO, Dr. Tony Han, their vision is ambitious: “WeRide’s vision for Southeast Asia is to deploy thousands of Robotaxis across the region, through a progressive rollout aligned with local regulations and societal readiness.”

And who better to partner with than Grab, whose app is already embedded into the daily life of millions from Singapore to Jakarta?

But are Southeast Asia’s roads ready for it, anyway?​

While WeRide has proven itself in China and the Middle East, Southeast Asia presents a unique challenge — and perhaps a reality check for any AI-driven vehicle.

The potholes have personalities. Motorbikes don’t obey lanes. And crossing pedestrians, sometimes they don’t even walk — they glide between cars like action movie stars.
 

Not all PHV drivers are on board (literally or figuratively) with the idea, though​

Reactions among current Grab drivers have been… mixed. In the Professional PHV Drivers Singapore group, comments ranged from sceptical to savage:

“If SEA governments are smart, don’t let them come in. Don’t create unemployment like what China is facing now,” warned one.

Robotaxi… Grab takes 100% fare… pays tax to the government… this will be the future. It’s only a matter of time…” another made a reminding statement.

“Drivers helped build this company, and now… Cross the bridge and dismantle it,” read one frustrated comment.

And another, probably in fear of what the future holds for PHV drivers, nervously asked: “Are drivers no longer partners?”

It’s clear that while Grab is painting a picture of coexistence between man and machine, some drivers feel they’re being left at the kerb.
 

When superapp and superbrain join forces…​

Grab’s investment is set to close by the first half of 2026, pending all the usual due diligence and timing preferences from WeRide. But beyond the money, this partnership is all about tech and traction.

Together, the two companies plan to:

  • Integrate WeRide’s AV tech into Grab’s ride-hailing network
  • Collaborate on fleet management, dispatch, routing, and remote monitoring
  • Train and upskill Grab’s driver-partners for new high-value roles in the AV sector (translation: not firing them… if they’re willing to upgrade themselves)
 
“Drivers helped build this company, and now… Cross the bridge and dismantle it,” read one frustrated comment.
lol this PHV driver comment very funny. Drivers helped to build the company? They don’t get paid meh? It’s like oh every motherfucker who is old is branded the ‘Merdaki’ generation and given many concessions. These probably include some useless buggers who didn’t work or are just cruising.
 
lol this PHV driver comment very funny. Drivers helped to build the company? They don’t get paid meh? It’s like oh every motherfucker who is old is branded the ‘Merdaki’ generation and given many concessions. These probably include some useless buggers who didn’t work or are just cruising.
U see Coolie genes is questioning ATAS elites and demigods for their right to rule de woh
 

This Asian data center hub is quietly grappling with the massive costs of AI: energy and water​

PUBLISHED MON, AUG 18 202512:34 AM EDTUPDATED 2 MIN AGO
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Dylan Butts@IN/DYLAN-B-7A451A107
Victoria Yeo
WATCH LIVE
KEY POINTS
  • Malaysia’s Johor has a total planned data center capacity of 5,800 megawatts, according to DC Byte.
  • Data center projects have created economic opportunities and jobs for the city.
  • But there are signs the industry is pushing the limits of the state’s capacity and natural resources.
 
Grab is just a pap company to push the world elites’ agenda.

Many grab drivers better prepare to change job or die suddenly
 
Province Cheenapore introducing Mainland robo transportation and delivery services soon through Clap ah? :whistling:
 
Next…Tiongkok working on a Robot to give birth … Samster got hope liao


World’s first robot ‘could give birth to human baby’​

Georgia Bates
Sat, 16 August 2025 at 11:49 PM SGT2-min read

The world’s first humanoid robot surrogate could give birth to a live baby, scientists have claimed.

Experts are developing technology that will mimic a pregnancy from conception to delivery, with the infant growing inside an artificial womb and receiving nutrients through a tube.

After nine months, a live baby will be born, according to Dr Zhang Qifeng, who founded the company Kaiwa Technology, in the city of Guangzhou.
 

NDR 2025: Building a ‘we first’ society will strengthen the Singapore spirit for generations to come, says PM Wong​

“We certainly don't want to end up as a society where people rely solely on the government”, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in this year’s National Day Rally.
NDR 2025: Building a ‘we first’ society will strengthen the Singapore spirit for generations to come, says PM Wong

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivering his English speech during the National Day Rally 2025 at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College headquarters in Ang Mo Kio on Aug 17, 2025. (Photo: CNA/Jeremy Long)
 

Singapore exports tipped for slower growth after worse-than-expected contraction in July​

But some economists believe the relatively lower US tariff rate that the Republic faces, along with growing electronic demand, could mitigate any slowdown



Sharon See

Sharon See

Published Mon, Aug 18, 2025 · 06:10 PM


  • (FILES) A vessel loaded with containers is docked at Pasir Panjang port terminal in Singapore on May 19, 2025. Singapore's non-oil domestic exports slipped 4.6 percent in July from a year earlier, government data showed on August 18, 2025 as shipments to the United States plunged by more than 40 percent. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP)



  • The 4.6% year-on-year decline in NODX in July is a sharp contrast from the revised 12.9% jump clocked in June. PHOTO: AFP
  • The 4.6% year-on-year decline in NODX in July is a sharp contrast from the revised 12.9% jump clocked in June. PHOTO: AFP
  • The 4.6% year-on-year decline in NODX in July is a sharp contrast from the revised 12.9% jump clocked in June. PHOTO: AFP
  • The 4.6% year-on-year decline in NODX in July is a sharp contrast from the revised 12.9% jump clocked in June. PHOTO: AFP
  • The 4.6% year-on-year decline in NODX in July is a sharp contrast from the revised 12.9% jump clocked in June. PHOTO: AFP

[SINGAPORE] The Republic is poised for slower export growth in the second half of 2025, economists said, after last month’s numbers came in worse than expected.

Non-oil domestic exports (NODX) shrank 4.6 per cent year on year in July, in a sharp contrast from the revised 12.9 per cent jump clocked in June, data from Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) showed on Monday (Aug 18).

The decline was also deeper than the 1 per cent contraction that private-sector economists polled by Bloomberg were expecting.
 

Trump’s reciprocal tariffs could be struck down as soon as this month — and the administration is warning of economic apocalypse​

Jason Ma
Sun, 17 August 2025 at 6:46 AM SGT4-min read

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President Donald Trump displays a signed executive order imposing tariffs on imported goods at the White House on April 2. (Andrew Harnik—Getty Images)
  • President Donald Trump and his Justice Department have issued doomsday warnings recently on what would happen if a federal appeals court rules against the administration in a legal challenge to his so-called reciprocal tariffs. James Lucier at Alpha Capital Partners said the court could issue a ruling later this month or next month.
The Trump administration sees complete disaster for the U.S. economy if its reciprocal tariffs are struck down, revealing its level of concern as a court is expected to issue a critical decision soon.

On July 31, a federal appeals court heard arguments in a case challenging the tariffs’ legal basis under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA), and the judges expressed deep skepticism about the administration’s side.
 

Who is LanLan Yang? How a crash in Sydney's ritzy Rose Bay involving Kyle Sandilands’ chauffeur sent Chinese social media into overdrive​

The online gossip fest about the heiress who crashed her Rolls-Royce into Kyle Sandilands’ chauffeur is a window into the Chinese people's distaste for the wealthy elite, writes Sky News host Cheng Lei.
 
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