Grab Strengthens Partnership with AWS for Enhanced Services
Las Vegas — Grab, the well-known super app in Southeast Asia, has announced a strengthened partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), choosing it as its preferred cloud provider. This move is part of Grab’s ongoing commitment to innovation and delivering cost-effective, customer-focused solutions.
During a media briefing, Mohan Krishnan, Grab’s head of Engineering, emphasized the company’s tech-driven approach. He stated, “We are dedicated to using technology to solve issues for our users and partners. This allows us to experiment with new products without the stress of managing infrastructure.”
Krishnan pointed out that collaborating with AWS helps Grab manage expenses while ensuring reliability and stability in its services. He highlighted three main areas where AWS plays a crucial role.
Firstly, AWS assists in optimizing costs, helping Grab innovate while staying financially efficient. Technologies like Graviton, AWS’s custom-designed processor, enhance Grab’s operational efficiency, aligning with the company’s goal of achieving profitability.
Secondly, AWS guarantees service reliability for Grab’s vast user base of 42 million monthly users and 13 million drivers and delivery partners. Krishnan explained, “Our users depend on us for their livelihoods. AWS’s strong data capabilities allow us to innovate without sacrificing service stability.”
Lastly, the partnership advances Grab’s utilization of artificial intelligence (AI). With AWS’s AI tools, Grab can create AI-driven features that improve user experiences and boost operational efficiency. Krishnan noted, “AI is a game-changing technology, and AWS has expedited its integration into our services.”
A Partnership Built Over Years
Ganesh Chawla, director for AWS Asean, commented on the long-standing partnership, stating, “Grab’s various services, from rides and deliveries to financial offerings, have flourished on our infrastructure.” He pointed out how services like Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS) allow Grab to adapt to changing demands effortlessly across different countries.
By using AWS, Grab reduces operational costs and can focus on introducing innovative products without getting bogged down by infrastructure management. For instance, Grab’s machine learning platform, Catwalk, which supports over 1,000 AI models, operates on EKS. The company is also leveraging AWS’s custom AWS Inferentia chips to enhance its AI-powered services.
Chawla remarked, “This platform is essential for features like route optimization and pricing, which are vital for maintaining Grab’s leadership in the market.”
Since their partnership began in 2012, it has not only supported Grab’s growth but also aligned with its mission to empower the economy. Krishnan noted that Grab utilizes AWS to provide affordable services and develop unique products for its customers.
