Pony AI, nearing full-year robotaxi goal, eyes European markets
Pony AI is also trialling its technology in South Korea, where it has obtained nationwide permits for robotaxi operations
Pony AI is confident it will meet its 2025 robotaxi vehicle output target and is actively exploring new markets in Europe, even as the industry’s commercialisation develops at an uneven pace across different regions.
Over 200 of Pony AI’s Gen-7 Robotaxi vehicles have been rolled out since mass production started two months ago, putting the firm on track to hit its 1,000 vehicle goal by year-end, the company said.
That will help it break even on a per-vehicle basis, Chief Executive Officer James Peng said in an interview on Wednesday. The company was founded in 2016 and started operating robotaxis in Guangzhou in 2018.
The Guangzhou-headquartered firm’s optimism comes as it eyes new markets in Europe. Road testing is being carried out in Luxembourg via mobility service provider Emile Weber, Peng said.
Pony AI is also trialling its technology in South Korea, where it has obtained nationwide permits for robotaxi operations. It has a tie-up with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, and with 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 of foreign regions.