Pony.ai Gains Citywide License to Operate Robotaxis in Shenzhen
Pony.ai, a leading Chinese autonomous driving company, has become the first to receive a citywide license allowing driverless commercial robotaxi operations in Shenzhen. This milestone marks a major advancement for scalable autonomous mobility across one of China's top innovation centers.
The license was granted jointly to Pony.ai and the Xihu Group, Shenzhen’s largest taxi operator. With this permit, both companies can now offer driverless taxi services throughout the city, starting in Nanshan, Qianhai, and Baoan districts before gradually expanding further.
Currently, Pony.ai operates more than 720 robotaxis. Over the next few years, the company and its partners plan to deploy over 1,000 vehicles based on Pony.ai’s seventh-generation model in Shenzhen.
“The launch of this project marks the official implementation of Pony.ai’s ‘asset-light + AI-empowered’ commercialization model. By focusing on core technology innovation, Pony.ai empowers traditional transportation operators to achieve intelligent transformation, paving the way for a scalable and replicable commercialization model for autonomous driving.” — James Peng, Founder and CEO of Pony.ai
Outlook for Shenzhen’s Autonomous Mobility
This initiative is expected to strengthen Shenzhen’s status as a hub for technology and smart transportation, setting a precedent for large-scale autonomous driving programs across China.
Author’s Summary: Pony.ai’s new citywide license in Shenzhen marks a major step toward integrating large-scale driverless taxi services into everyday urban life in China.