Chinese robotaxi company Pony.ai is teaming up with US ride-sharing services provider Uber Technologies to launch driverless taxis in the Middle East later this year, as the auto industry’s push for autonomous driving gains momentum.
The two companies will first deploy Pony.ai’s robotaxis on Uber’s platform in a key market in the region, according to a joint statement on Tuesday, which did not specify any specific country. There are plans for expansion in more international markets, it added without elaborating.
Uber users would have the option to choose a Pony.ai autonomous vehicle for their ride, the statement said. The vehicles would have a safety operator on board during the initial pilot phase until their fully autonomous commercial service begins operations, it added.
“By combining our proven autonomous systems, with Uber’s unparalleled ride-hailing platform, we are poised to set a new standard for the commercialisation of driverless services, starting in the Middle East before expanding to new markets,” said James Peng, co-founder and CEO of Pony.ai.
This collaboration is crucial for Pony.ai’s global expansion strategy and would enable Uber to more quickly and safely integrate autonomous vehicles as it seeks growth in new markets. Uber works with Alphabet’s self-driving company Waymo to offer the services in the US.
The partnership with Pony.ai is “another meaningful step toward bringing the benefits of autonomous mobility to the world”, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said.
Last week, Uber teamed up with Chinese autonomous driving start-up Momenta to introduce self-driving vehicles on its platform for international markets outside the US and China. The service would include in-car safety officers when launched in Europe in 2026, they said.
Uber also collaborated with Chinese firm WeRide in late 2024 to launch robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The partners unveiled last week a plan for self-driving robotaxi business in 15 more cities across the Middle East and Europe.
Pony.ai was listed on the Nasdaq in November. Based in Guangzhou, capital of southern Guangdong province, the firm reported a full-year loss of US$275 million for 2024. Its stock has slumped by more than 60 per cent since reaching a record US$23.88 in February.
Last month, Pony.ai debuted its seventh-generation autonomous-driving system and showcased three mass production robotaxi models developed in partnership with Toyota Motor and Chinese state-owned carmakers BAIC Group and GAC during Auto Shanghai, China’s largest auto trade show that concluded last week.
Pony.ai plans to start mass production of its robotaxis from next quarter, Peng said at the Auto Shanghai show. It aimed to expand its global fleet to 50,000 robotaxis by 2028. Currently, Pony.ai operates about 250 robotaxis and nearly 200 robotrucks, according to company data.
