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Ride-Hailing Service Grab Plans Self-Driving Taxis by 2022

Singapore-based Grab Taxi Holdings Pte Ltd. says its ride-hailing service will introduce autonomous taxis—probably in Singapore—within five years.

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Singapore-based Grab Taxi Holdings Pte Ltd. says its ride-hailing service will introduce autonomous taxis—probably in Singapore—within five years.

President Ming Maa tells The Nikkei his aim is to debut the self-driving vehicles before Renault SA introduces similar capabilities in 2022.

Investors in the company, which launched in 2012, include Honda and Toyota. Hyundai Motor Co. bought an undisclosed stake in the company earlier this month. Grab also reportedly has partnered with Boston-based software developer nuTonomy Inc., now a part of Aptiv plc.

Grab operates in eight countries in southeast Asia. Maa says adding autonomous vehicles will help integrate the company’s array of shared-ride motorbike, taxi and shuttle bus options. Self-driving vehicles can connect passengers in remote locations where public transportation is limited, he tells The Nikkei.

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