Grab expands superapp with 13 AI-driven features across mobility, travel and merchant tools

Grab has introduced 13 AI-powered features across its platform at GrabX 2026, positioning its superapp as an “intelligent everyday guide” spanning consumer services, travel, and merchant operations across Southeast Asia.

The updates are grouped into three areas, local life, travel, and business tools, and are built on the company’s Grab Intelligence Layer. This infrastructure draws on data from 20 billion rides and orders to translate real-world signals such as traffic conditions and in-store activity into automated decisions and recommendations.

Philipp Kandal, Chief Product Officer at Grab, said the goal is to reduce manual effort across daily tasks. “As a product builder, I believe AI should work the hardest for the people who need it most. I’m excited that the products we are launching today at GrabX are like having a smart companion by your side.”

Consumer features extend coordination and decision-making tools

For everyday usage, Grab is expanding coordination and planning features within the app. Group Ride allows up to four users to share a vehicle, with fares calculated individually based on distance, traffic, and travel time. The system can optimise routing and is expected to add a real-time “Waiting Room” feature to coordinate passengers.

Grab More introduces multi-merchant ordering within a single delivery, allowing users to combine orders without additional delivery fees. Orders are synchronised to arrive together.

The Grab AI Assistant and Shopping Agent extend conversational and input-based interactions. Users can request restaurant recommendations or build shopping carts using text, voice, or images, with the system searching across merchants and applying substitutions where needed.

Navigation is also being repositioned beyond directions. GrabMaps for Consumers integrates calendar data, predicts destinations based on usage patterns, and compares transport options, including ride-hailing and the cost of driving yourself. It also adds indoor navigation for malls and buildings, alongside real-time data such as parking availability and EV charger locations.

Financial services are included through Cash Loan, which uses Grab’s internal data and AI-based underwriting to provide instant loan decisions and repayment options for users with limited credit history.

Travel features consolidate airport and in-destination services

Grab is extending its role into cross-border travel by integrating planning, booking, and payments into a single flow. The Personalised Travel Experience feature aggregates travel information such as passport reminders, check-in counters, gate updates, and arrival procedures within the app.

GrabStays, developed with Nuitee, adds hotel booking with a focus on same-day availability and simplified checkout using stored user data. The service is linked to ride bookings to and from accommodation.

Discover by Grab introduces a content-driven layer for food discovery, using community-generated reviews and AI-driven personalisation. Users can move directly from discovery to booking, ordering, or payment within the same interface.

For payments, GrabPay for Travel enables QR-based transactions across Southeast Asia using stored debit or credit cards, removing the need for separate local wallets or currency balances.

Merchant and driver tools move into physical operations

For merchants and drivers, the new features extend beyond app interfaces into operational workflows. The Virtual Store Manager uses AI-powered computer vision applied to existing CCTV systems to monitor store conditions, including hygiene, staffing, and foot traffic. It also provides analytics such as queue length and conversion rates.

Cloud Printer automates order handling between front-of-house and kitchen operations. Orders are printed automatically, and QR-based workflows trigger pickup processes. The system can pause listings if no activity is detected, reducing failed orders.

Tap to Pay enables merchants to accept card and QR payments directly on smartphones without additional hardware. For drivers, the Driver AI Assistant provides voice-based support for navigation, policy queries, and operational tasks such as messaging passengers, with the aim of improving efficiency and earnings.

Rollout varies by market and regulatory conditions

Product availability will differ by country, with rollouts dependent on regulatory approvals, licensing, and partner readiness. According to the appendix in the release, features such as Group Ride, GrabMaps, and the Driver AI Assistant are already available across multiple Southeast Asian markets, while others, including GrabStays and GrabPay for Travel, are scheduled for phased launches through 2026 and beyond.

Grab also reported that its Early Access Programme has reached 200,000 users, contributing more than 4,000 feature improvements. A new “shake and share” function will allow users to submit feedback directly from within the app.