Hesai Technology has appointed Grab as its exclusive lidar distributor in Southeast Asia. Under the strategic partnership, Grab will manage sales, customer support, and marketing of Hesai’s lidar sensors across the region.
Highlights
- Grab appointed as Hesai’s exclusive lidar distributor across Southeast Asia’s eight-country market
- Partnership targets expanded access to lidar for robotics, autonomous mobility, and mapping applications
- Southeast Asia projected for AI automation surge in manufacturing, logistics, and mobility sectors
- Both companies aim to advance Physical and Embodied AI deployment across the region
Partnership Scope and Objectives
Through this partnership, Hesai will leverage Grab’s distribution networks to increase availability of lidar sensors for customers across Southeast Asia. Target applications include robotic solutions and autonomous systems across multiple industries.
For Grab, the exclusive distributor role ensures stable supply of lidar technology for its autonomous mobility and mapping operations.
“By expanding access to world-class lidar technology in Southeast Asia, Grab is doing more than improving our own autonomous mobility and mapping capabilities; we are providing the essential ‘eyes’ that allow robotics to ‘see’ and navigate safely,” says Anthony Tan, Group CEO and Co-founder of Grab.
Market Context
Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing technology that uses light to measure distance and map environments with high precision. Hesai holds leading market share in automotive, Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), and autonomous mobility sectors.
Southeast Asia is projected to experience significant growth in demand for AI-powered automation, particularly in:
- Manufacturing
- Mobility
- Logistics
According to Deloitte Southeast Asia’s September 2025 report, the region faces a surge in demand for data centers and AI infrastructure. As a result, lidar deployment is expected to transition from early validation to large-scale commercial implementation.
Strategic Rationale
David Li, CEO and Co-founder of Hesai, says, “Lidar is a core technology that enables robots to achieve autonomous perception and safer operations. The Southeast Asian market has shown strong demand across manufacturing, logistics, and service robots.”
The partnership positions both companies to facilitate access to foundational lidar hardware across industries in Southeast Asia, enabling machines to operate safely in the region’s complex urban environments.
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