Jakarta. Grab Holdings has rolled out 13 artificial intelligence (AI)-powered features at its GrabX 2026 showcase, aiming to expand its app into a more integrated platform for daily services, travel, and business operations across Southeast Asia.

The updates are built on Grab’s “Intelligence Layer,” which draws on data from more than 20 billion rides and transactions to automate tasks and improve decision-making across its ecosystem.

“As a product builder, I believe AI should work the hardest for the people who need it most,” said Grab Chief Product Officer Philipp Kandal. “The products we are launching today are like having a smart companion by your side… we want the Grab app to be the Everyday Guide that handles the manual tasks, so you can focus on your day.”

For consumers, Grab introduced several features to streamline daily activities. “Group Ride” allows up to four users to share trips with coordinated pick-ups and split payments, with fares calculated based on distance, traffic, and travel time. The company said the feature could reduce costs by up to 40% compared to solo rides. A “Waiting Room” function, enabling users to track readiness and vehicle progress, is expected to be added.

Another feature, “Grab More,” enables users to combine orders from multiple nearby merchants into a single delivery without additional fees, minimum spending, or small-order charges, with AI coordinating synchronized arrivals.

Grab also launched an AI assistant designed to support everyday tasks, including recommending restaurants, making bookings, and building shopping carts from photos, voice notes, or text inputs across multiple merchants.

Navigation services were expanded through “GrabMaps,” which integrates calendar data, predicts destinations based on user activity, and compares transport options, including ride-hailing and self-driving costs. The feature also provides real-time parking availability, EV charger locations, public transport schedules, and indoor navigation within malls and buildings. Users can customize voice directions, including cloned voices.

In financial services, Grab introduced an AI-powered cash loan feature offering instant decisions and flexible repayment plans, targeting users with limited credit history and requiring no paperwork.

On travel, Grab is expanding its role beyond transport. A “Personalised Travel Experience” feature consolidates flight-related information, including passport reminders, check-in details, gate updates, and arrival requirements, alongside a checklist for travel essentials such as eSIMs. Upon arrival, the app provides indoor navigation to baggage claim and pick-up points.

The company also introduced “GrabStays,” a hotel booking service developed with travel partner Nuitee, offering same-day booking options and in-app payments, alongside rewards integration. Meanwhile, “Discover” curates user-generated food recommendations tailored by AI, allowing users to order, book, or navigate to restaurants within a single interface.

To support cross-border payments, “GrabPay for Travel” enables users to scan national QR codes across Southeast Asia and pay using cards stored in the app, eliminating the need for separate e-wallets or currency balances.

For merchant partners, Grab introduced operational tools including a “Virtual Store Manager,” which uses AI and computer vision through existing CCTV systems to monitor store hours, hygiene, staffing, and customer traffic, generating alerts and performance insights. A “Cloud Printer” automates order processing between front-end and kitchen operations and can pause store availability if inactivity is detected.

Additionally, “Tap to Pay” allows merchants to accept contactless payments directly through smartphones without additional hardware, while a “Driver AI Assistant” provides voice-enabled support for drivers, offering real-time guidance on navigation, platform policies, and passenger communication.

Kandal said the broader push reflects Grab’s aim to embed AI across everyday services. “It’s about reducing the mental load of daily decisions and helping users get things done more easily,” he said.

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