Pony.ai Triples Robotaxi Ambitions

Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous vehicle company, intends to significantly expand its robotaxi fleet, targeting over 3,000 vehicles by the end of 2026. This ambitious plan follows the company's success in achieving city-wide breakeven for its seventh-generation robotaxis in Guangzhou. Pony.ai currently operates nearly 1,000 robotaxis and aims to exceed this number by the end of the year.

The expansion is supported by strong user demand and optimised operational efficiency, with average daily orders reaching 23 per vehicle in Guangzhou. Pony.ai is also focused on reducing costs, with a further 20% reduction in bill-of-materials costs expected for its autonomous driving kits in 2026. The company's global strategy includes expansion into eight new countries, leveraging partnerships with ride-hailing services. Pony.ai's third-quarter revenue reached $25.4 million, driven by robotaxi services and technology licensing.

Pony.ai's technology incorporates multi-sensor fusion and AI-based learning for enhanced performance and safety. The company is developing autonomous driving systems for robotaxis, robotrucks and personal vehicles. Pony.ai has secured $800 million through a Hong Kong IPO, strengthening its financial position for mass production and commercialisation.