Grab partners with ST Engineering to launch drone delivery pilot
The test run targets up to 28 drone deliveries daily.
Grab has launched a three-month drone delivery pilot in Tanjong Rhu in partnership with ST Engineering’s Unmanned Air Systems.
The trial aims to explore how drones can work alongside human delivery partners to speed up food deliveries in urban areas with challenging routes, according to a press statement by Grab.
The pilot focuses on areas separated by the Kallang River, where longer routes slow down deliveries. Drones will handle the river crossing, while delivery partners manage order checks and the final leg to customers.
The service will operate Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with up to 28 deliveries daily and an average round-trip flight time of eight minutes.
The trial is limited to Tanjong Rhu residents and merchant partners from Bugis, Kampong Glam, and Suntec City.
Operations will pause during wet weather or public holidays.
Community and privacy considerations are built into the pilot. Drones will fly mostly over open water to minimise noise, and navigation cameras will not store footage.
Grab will collect feedback from residents, delivery partners, and regulators to assess the practical value of drones in solving urban delivery challenges.
