Pony.ai expands robotaxi services to Hong Kong

Pony.ai, a burgeoning leader in the autonomous vehicle sector, is set to expand its operations into Hong Kong. The company currently operates over 250 robotaxis without safety drivers in major cities including Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. Their upcoming venture will see them providing robotaxi services at Hong Kong International Airport, initially targeting airport employees. The eventual goal is to broaden their services to include the urban environment of Hong Kong, catering to any residents or visitors seeking transport.

In a recent statement, Pony.ai expressed enthusiasm about the unique driving challenges and opportunities that Hong Kong presents. “Hong Kong will provide even more unique driving opportunities for Pony.ai’s leading autonomous vehicle technology to shine, including: left-side of the road driving, dense traffic and a highly complex driving environment such as special types of traffic intersections,” the company detailed.

Currently, Pony.ai is also operating robotaxis at key transport hubs in China, including offerings at Beijing Daxing International Airport and conducting tests in the vicinity of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. These airport services form a significant segment of the overall taxi industry, and the company aims to broaden its operational reach further. Notably, Pony.ai has recently achieved a significant milestone by being named one of the first companies to receive mutual recognition qualifications for operating cross-regional autonomous services across cities in the Greater Bay Area of China, which includes Guangzhou and Shenzhen among others.

In the company’s vision for future operations, their autonomous vehicles are expected to provide seamless transport connecting airports and high-speed rail stations within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Pony.ai aims to deliver a reliable and convenient robotaxi experience for local residents.

As a pioneer in the sector, Pony.ai holds licences to operate fully driverless vehicles across all four of China’s Tier-1 cities (Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Shenzhen) and has commenced public-facing, fare-charging robotaxi services without safety drivers specifically in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. The progress made is evident, with the company averaging over 15 daily orders per robotaxi in the first half of 2024, marking significant advancements towards the mass commercialization of Level 4 robotaxi services.

On an additional note, Pony.ai has partnered with GAC AION, the new energy vehicle division of GAC Group, to develop a large-scale mass-produced robotaxi. This collaboration aims to produce over 1,000 customised robotaxis utilising Pony.ai’s 7th generation autonomous driving system, with the first batch expected in 2025. The vehicles are designed to enhance efficiency, comfort, and convenience for users while integrating advanced autonomous driving hardware.

Pony.ai’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology into the transport sector illustrates its ambition to redefine urban mobility, highlighting the increasing relevance of autonomous vehicles in modern business practices and the potential impact on the transportation industry at large.

Source: Noah Wire Services