Grab Singapore has introduced Grab AI Call-A-Ride (Beta), an innovative AI-powered call service designed to make ride booking easier for seniors and those who find mobile app navigation challenging. Developed in collaboration with OpenAI, this service allows users to book rides through natural language conversations with an AI voice assistant, available by dialling +65 3138 0000.
The AI voice assistant, powered by OpenAI’s Realtime Voice model, offers a more intuitive experience than traditional automated call services by engaging in fluid reasoning and processing bookings. Initially optimised for English and Chinese, Grab plans to expand the service to include more regional languages. The pilot aims to gather user feedback to enhance the service further.
Philipp Kandal, Grab’s Chief Product Officer, highlighted the significance of this development: “Advancements in AI are enabling us to better solve a long-standing paradox: choosing between scale and accessibility.” He noted that the service bridges the gap for those who struggle with digital navigation, offering a scalable yet simple solution.
Albert Yip, Head of Technical Success, Asia Pacific from OpenAI, praised the collaboration, stating, “Grab’s service shows what becomes possible when advanced AI is designed around the real needs of the people it serves.”
Before its official launch, the service underwent trials with approximately 1,000 calls, involving various demographic groups. Feedback from these trials, including those conducted at digital literacy workshops, has been used to improve the system’s speech recognition and conversational pacing.
The Grab AI Call-A-Ride (Beta) builds on the company’s previous innovations, such as the Voice Assistant for the Visually Impaired, and continues to explore new ways to make everyday services more accessible.
