“We are anticipating a pickup in production [of robotaxis],” he said in an interview on the weekend. “Over the past few years, we have solidified our tie-ups with carmakers to attest to the feasibility of building a large volume of driverless cabs.”
Pony.ai would partner with local carmakers GAC and BAIC, and Toyota of Japan in production, and target a fleet of 1,000 robotaxis by the end of this year, he added.
Nasdaq-listed Pony.ai received a permit to run its robotaxis in Shanghai’s Pudong New Area last week. The permit allows the company to charge fares, pioneering the move in the nation’s major commercial and financial hub.
Pony.ai will initially operate its fleet in the Jinqiao and Huamu areas totalling a combined 40 sq km. That will be gradually expanded to other parts of Pudong, China’s 1,400 sq km pioneer zone to showcase progress in building a modern socialist system.
