Pony AI Plans Robotaxi Deployments in Dubai, Shenzhen

Pony.ai, a leading Chinese autonomous vehicle company, is rapidly expanding its robotaxi fleet both domestically and internationally. The company has partnered with Dubai's Regional Transport Authority to launch a multi-phase robotaxi trial in the Middle East, aiming for fully driverless operations by 2026 as part of Dubai's goal to make 25% of trips autonomous by 2030. In China, Pony.ai secured a major deal with Shenzhen's largest taxi operator, Xihu Group, to deploy over 1,000 Gen 7 robotaxis, leveraging an 'asset-light + AI-empowered' model to scale efficiently in complex urban environments. Domestically, Pony.ai operates 270 robotaxis across four major Tier 1 cities in China, with increasing driverless miles and a growing user base via its PonyPilot app. The company went public on Nasdaq in late 2024 with a $5.25 billion valuation, underlining its strong position in the autonomous vehicle sector. Pony.ai's strategy combines advanced AI, strategic partnerships, and global expansion plans to accelerate the commercial rollout of robotaxis.