- Initial supervised trial runs are set to launch in 2025, followed by fully driverless operations in 2026.
- Long-term plans include integrating the robotaxi service with Dubai's transportation network.
Pony AI (NASDAQ: PONY) has entered into a partnership with Dubai's Road Traffic Authority (RTA) to deploy its robotaxi fleet in the region, marking a milestone in its Middle East expansion.
The Chinese autonomous driving startup announced the partnership in a statement today, saying it underscores its commitment to advancing self-driving technology in Dubai.
Pony AI's autonomous driving technology will be rolled out in phases, with initial supervised trials starting in 2025 and fully driverless operations by 2026.
Dubai has a "2030 Smart City Vision" plan, which aims to convert 25 percent of its transportation to autonomous mode by 2030, and that's aligned with the partnership, Pony AI said.
"This partnership is integral to our goal of transforming 25% of all journeys in the city into autonomous trips by 2030," said Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency at RTA.
Pony AI plans to begin mass production and deployment of its seventh-generation robotaxi in the second half of 2025, a move that is expected to lay a solid foundation for the company's global expansion, the company said.
The seventh-generation robotaxi was unveiled at the Auto Shanghai 2025 in late April, and its Autopilot Kit hardware suite reduces material costs by 70 percent.
Pony AI plans to scale its global robotaxi fleet to thousands of vehicles over the next two years and is positioning 2025 as the first year of large-scale commercial deployment.
To date, Pony AI has obtained robotaxi test licenses in four major markets: the US, China, South Korea and Luxembourg.
In China, Pony AI offers fully self-driving ride hailing services in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen and has about 300 robotaxi vehicles serving major hubs including Beijing South Railway Station and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.
"We've built up real expertise in robotaxis from years of operations in China, and now we're bringing that know-how to Dubai," said Leo Wang, CFO of Pony AI.
Long-term plans include integrating robotaxi services with Dubai's transportation network, covering the metro, tram, and maritime routes, to create a future where self-driving cars complement existing infrastructure, Pony AI said.
Pony AI is one of the major players in the robotaxi space in China, having announced a partnership with Uber Technologies (NYSE: UBER) earlier this month.
The partnership is expected to launch first in a key Middle Eastern market later this year, with plans to deploy to more international markets in the future, Pony AI said on May 6.
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