Grab is testing food delivery with a self-driving car
The Island A.H.B.O.I. vehicle is also designed to be weather-proof and features built-in food warming and cooling technology.
Grab is piloting a food delivery service via an autonomous vehicle or a self-driving car in Singapore.
Teaming up with technology services firm NCS, with the support of Sentosa Development Corporation, the test will take place from early May in Emerald Pavilion and Sapphire Pavilion along Siloso Beach and features items from F&B brands Ola Beach Club and Summerhouse Beach Club at Skypark Sentosa by AJ Hacket.
Consumers can employ Grab’s Mix-and-Match and Self Pick-up features, allowing them eto order at one go and have their dining offerings delivered by the Island A.H.B.O.I. vehicle to the pick-up points.
In partnership with autonomous vehicle company Neolix, this will be the first food delivery trial with an AV robot that runs on Singtel’s 5G Standalone (SA) network. The vehicle will be managed by NCS robotmanager, an autonomous fleet platform powered by artificial intelligence to operationalise the food delivery process.
Island A.H.B.O.I. is also designed to be weather-proof and features built-in food warming and cooling technology.
The move continues Grab’s exploration with robotics in the Lion City. Almost a year ago, it piloted a “robot runner” service at Paya Lebar Quarter (PLQ) Mall.
“Our earlier indoor trials were aimed at improving the efficiency of the overall delivery experience. With this trial, we have gone outdoors to explore a convenient way of bringing more food options to consumers at the beach. Grab is committed to delivering convenience and value to more consumers and merchants in innovative ways,” Grab Singapore managing director for strategy and partnership Cifer Ong said.
The collaboration is also expected to provide insights and learnings into consumers’ “changing dining preferences and how robotic food deliveries can improve the dining experience in popular but difficult-to-reach locations,” the company said.
