Pony AI Targets European Expansion as Robotaxi Rollout Accelerates
- tech360.tv
- Aug 15
- 2 min read
Pony AI is on track to meet its 2025 robotaxi production goal, with over 200 Gen-7 vehicles already deployed and plans to reach 1,000 by year-end, the company said.
The Guangzhou-based autonomous driving firm began mass production two months ago and expects to break even on a per-vehicle basis, according to Chief Executive Officer James Peng.
Founded in 2016, Pony AI launched robotaxi operations in Guangzhou in 2018. It is now expanding its global footprint, with road testing underway in Luxembourg through a partnership with mobility provider Emile Weber.
The company is also trialling its technology in South Korea, where it has secured nationwide permits for robotaxi operations. Additional partnerships include Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority and Uber Technologies to deploy self-driving vehicles in the Middle East.
“In a year or two, once the regulations are ready, the local users are on board, then I think those markets will take off dramatically,” Peng said.
Pony AI’s expansion comes as rival Baidu Apollo Go signed an agreement in August with US ride-hailing platform Lyft to launch robotaxis in Europe, starting in Germany and the UK in 2026, pending regulatory approval.
In China, regulatory support for autonomous driving appears to be growing. Despite public protests in Wuhan earlier this year over Apollo Go’s robotaxi fleet, Shanghai recently granted commercial licences to Pony AI and Apollo Go for operations in the Pudong financial district.
Shanghai joins Beijing, Shenzhen and Guangzhou in allowing fare-charging robotaxi services. “This is a big step for making robotaxis a real business,” Peng said.
Pony AI reported second-quarter revenue of USD 1.5 million from robotaxi services, a 158% increase from the same period in 2024. Peng said the company has “laid a solid foundation for large-scale commercial robotaxi operation.”
However, scaling remains a challenge. Chief Financial Officer Leo Wang said most countries outside the US and China are not yet ready for large-scale deployment.
Wang noted that developing a sustainable fare-charging model will take time and emphasised the operational complexity of expanding from dozens to hundreds of driverless vehicles.
Pony AI has deployed over 200 Gen-7 robotaxis and aims for 1,000 by year-end
The company is testing in Luxembourg and South Korea, with plans for the Middle East
Shanghai granted commercial robotaxi licences to Pony AI and Apollo Go
Source: SCMP
