Grab Holdings Limited announced a strategic partnership with Hesai Technology on February 4 2026, appointing Grab as Hesai’s exclusive distributor of lidar sensors across Southeast Asia. The agreement gives Grab responsibility for sales, customer support, and marketing of Hesai’s lidar line, while Hesai will supply the high‑quality sensors needed for Grab’s autonomous mobility and mapping initiatives.
The partnership is a key step in Grab’s broader autonomous strategy. By securing a reliable supply of lidar, Grab can accelerate the deployment of self‑driving vehicles and improve the accuracy of its mapping services. The deal also opens a potential new revenue stream: sensor sales and related support services could generate incremental income as Grab’s autonomous fleet expands.
For Hesai, the agreement provides a robust distribution channel in a high‑growth region. Hesai plans to double its annual lidar production capacity to 4 million units by 2026 and is building a new factory in Bangkok expected to begin operations in early 2027. The partnership positions Hesai to capture a larger share of Southeast Asia’s rapidly expanding automotive, ADAS, and robotics markets.
Grab’s most recent financial snapshot shows revenue of $3.229 billion and a net margin of 3.78 percent, reflecting a 17.6 percent decline in revenue over the past three years and a modest Altman Z‑Score that signals financial distress. Hesai’s production expansion and the new factory underscore its confidence in sustained demand for lidar across automotive and industrial sectors.
Investors reacted positively to Hesai’s announcement, while Grab’s shares continued to face pressure from ongoing concerns about its ride‑hailing business. The market view highlights Hesai’s growth prospects in Southeast Asia and the challenges that remain for Grab’s core ride‑hailing operations.
"By expanding access to world‑class lidar technology in Southeast Asia, Grab is not only improving its own autonomous mobility and mapping capabilities but also providing the essential ‘eyes’ that allow robotics to see and navigate safely," said Anthony Tan, Group CEO and Co‑founder of Grab. "This partnership demonstrates our commitment to scaling 3D intelligence across the region."
"Lidar is a core technology that enables robots to achieve autonomous perception and safer operations. Through our partnership with Grab, we will leverage our mature and reliable lidar technology with the needs of local markets, accelerating the deployment and large‑scale adoption of robotics applications," said David Li, CEO and Co‑founder of Hesai.
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