Automotive

GrabProtect is Grab’s safety measures as it resumes operations

Stringent measures against COVID-19

Published

May 29, 2020

Kenrick Buduan

Grab Philippines is introducing new safety measures as it resumes ride-hailing operations on June 1, 2020. GrabProtect is the company’s safety measure intended to protect drivers and passengers against the threat of COVID-19. The company is also introducing new changes to the booking process for a safer and more efficient ride experience during these times.

Selfie verification feature and feedback

Under GrabProtect, Grab will introduce and implement changes to its GrabCar service. By the end of June, drivers must take an online health and hygiene checklist to verify their well-being. They must also submit a selfie with a mask on as a verification feature. Grab passengers can cancel a booking should they see that their driver is not wearing a mask.

The same also goes for the drivers. If they saw that their passengers are not wearing a mask, they can cancel the booking. Both the drivers and passengers are encouraged to submit feedback after every trip for cases where both parties appear unwell or are not wearing a mask.

Disinfection measures

Vehicle disinfection must take place before and after every ride. Grab will provide special disinfectant kits for every driver. These disinfectants are partially subsidized by the company, with special disinfection rates being planned to cover the rest of the expenses. There will also be a deep disinfection process every other day to ensure safety and cleanliness at all times.

Before boarding the ride, passengers have to show their booking code to the driver for confirmation. They will only be allowed to seat at the back of the vehicle. A non-permeable acetate barrier provided by Grab must separate the drivers from the passengers. The company also encourages both parties to carry hand sanitizers at all times for personal disinfection.

And to minimize the spread of pathogens, only drivers will be allowed to open and close the doors for their passengers. A maximum of two passengers is allowed for every GrabCar trip.

Other changes to GrabCar service

Aside from GrabProtect, Grab is also introducing new changes to its booking process to comply with the government’s guidelines.

Drivers who want to resume driving for Grab must undergo training to receive safety and hygiene certification from the company. This training is done in a warehouse in Marikina, where drivers are taught how to disinfect their vehicles as well as how to install the acetate barrier. The company has already trained more than 40,000 drivers under its new safety measures.

Grab is also introducing new changes in the payment process for all bookings. There will be a cap in surge for the meantime as the company expects reduced demand for the first few months of resumption of operations. Physical cash transactions are not allowed in the meantime too. As such, passengers must pay through one of the two options:

Credit card/ debit card option
GrabPay

Grab will also cover the medical expenses for drivers who test positive for COVID-19. As per guidelines, the company is not allowing individuals under age 21 or those above 60 to make a booking. Individuals who are pregnant and those with a compromised immune system are also not allowed to book a ride.

Earlier this month, Grab also introduced changes to its delivery service by doubling down on GrabPay. Now, the company is introducing more changes as the Philippines move to a new normal. These changes will ensure a much-streamlined process while minimizing the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Related Topics:Grab Grab Philippines GrabCar

Automotive

Xiaomi EV sets world’s 1st official autonomous driving lap at Nürburgring

Pilotless Xiaomi YU7 completes 20.8-kilometer “Green Hell” track

Published

June 25, 2026

GadgetMatch

Xiaomi EV has just made a historic automotive milestone, with a pilotless Xiaomi YU7 GT completing a lap at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit on its own.

Equipped with the brand’s premium Track Package, the EV conquered one of the most brutal racetracks on the planet without a human driving it, clocking a certified lap time of 10:29.483 across the grueling 20.8 km loop.

The achievement validates the comprehensive capabilities of Xiaomi’s autonomous driving system under dynamic conditions. At the same time, it demonstrates the potential unlocked through the deep integration of AI and advanced vehicle control technologies.

This historic run is the culmination of years of machine learning development. Xiaomi first debuted its Hyper Autonomous Driving (HAD) system back in 2024, but the real breakthrough came earlier this year.

In March 2026, Xiaomi rolled out a next-generation platform driven by its new Xiaomi XLA architecture and the advanced MiMo-Embodied foundation model.

With enhanced understanding and reasoning capabilities, the new system further improves its ability to interpret complex environments, dynamic traffic participants, and vehicle states.

The driving system is built on an end-to-end architecture and vehicle dynamics model, enabling real-time perception of vehicle states and road conditions.

It makes control decisions through dynamic prediction, and continuously coordinates steering, braking, and power delivery to maintain vehicle stability.

Such system accelerates the evolution of autonomous driving from behavior imitation to deeper environmental understanding and autonomous decision-making.

Taming the “Green Hell” with AI

Conquering the Nordschleife is no small feat for a human racing driver, let alone software.

The track is widely regarded as the ultimate proving ground for vehicle development due to its punishing layout: 73 distinct corners, roughly 300 meters of radical elevation changes, wildly inconsistent grip levels, and zero room for error.

During the certified high-speed time trial, Xiaomi’s autonomous system successfully navigated every single one of these complex hazards in real time.

Automotive

Mercedes-Benz holds a Welcome Home campaign to celebrate 140 years

Get freebies and discounts from now until the end of July.

Published

June 22, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Mercedes-Benz has been an important part of Filipino car culture. Stylized as the “Chedeng,” the brand’s cars are still worthy choices today. Now, to celebrate their 140^th anniversary, Mercedes-Benz is launching the Welcome Home Campaign, offering treats and discounts for Filipino drivers.

From now until the end of June, new Mercedes-Benz owners can get an exclusive 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen Replica. The limited-edition replica represents the history of brand’s innovations in the motoring space.

Similarly, until the end of the month, interested customers can start their Benz journey for downpayments as low as PhP 140,000. Discounted prices, however, will go on until the end of July:

MODEL	*Original Price*	*Discounted Price*
CLA 200 Progressive	PhP 3,990,000	PhP 3,490,000
C 180 Avantgarde	PhP 3,990,000	PhP 2,990,000
GLB 200 AMG Line	PhP 4,590,000	PhP 4,090,000
GLC 200 4MATIC	PhP 5,190,000	PhP 4,690,000
EQB 250+ Electric Art	PhP 4,290,000	PhP 4,090,000
EQE 300 Electric Art Sedan	PhP 5,590,000	PhP 3,990,000
EQE 350+ AMG Line Sedan	PhP 6,290,000	PhP 4,690,000
EQS 450 4MATIC AMG Line Sedan	PhP 9,990,000	PhP 7,490,000
Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4MATIC	PhP 5,719,000	PhP 5,519,000
Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC	PhP 5,719,000	PhP 5,219,000

If you already own a Chedeng, Mercedes-Benz will show some love by offering special aftersales initiatives throughout the campaign period. Additionally, there will be more roadshow activations happening the entire year to showcase the latest in the Benz lineup.

Finally, if you have a Chedeng story of your own, Mercedes-Benz is inviting long-time fans to share their stories on social media by tagging the official Mercedes-Benz Philippines account and using the hashtags #Chedeng and #140YearsofInnovation. Featured users can win exclusive Benz merchandise.

Computex 2026

Acer introduces new e-bikers, e-scooters at COMPUTEX 2026

Acer expands into smart e-mobility solutions

Published

June 1, 2026

GadgetMatch

Acer is showcasing its new range of e-bikes and e-scooters at COMPUTEX 2026, as part of its expansion into smart e-mobility solutions.

These offerings are powered by integrated software to deliver connected and intuitive riding experiences for evolving urban mobility needs.

Part of the new lineup are the Acer Nitro eCity Plus (e-bike) and Acer ES Series 3 Select (e-scooter). Both designed for urban commuting, these products feature versatile configurations, optimized performance, and enhanced portability for everyday use.

The Nitro eCity Plus comes with multiple riding modes and responsive power delivery for a smooth and stable ride. It also has a removable battery design for convenient charging.

Meanwhile, the ES Series 3 Select is about portability and efficiency. It has features for daily urban travel, and is lightweight, compact, and foldable.

It likewise boasts of multiple riding modes and comes with optimized braking and lighting systems.

Both of these electric mobility solutions can be controlled via the Acer eMobility app. Riders can check battery status and control lighting easily on the go with voice controls.

The app also provides a unified interface for e-bikes and e-scooters across Acer’s portfolio. It allows users to monitor vehicle status, battery levels, and riding data. Riders can also access functions like lighting control, device settings adjustment, riding history, and performance insights.

For peace of mind, several security features are also integrated. For instance, riders can activate an e-lock function via voice commands on compatible e-scooters. On e-bikes, the app also provides alert-based anti-theft notifications.