Chinese robotaxi company Pony.ai to work with Stellantis on Europe expansion
Robotaxi Testing Begins Between Beijing Suburb and High-Speed Train Station
Robotaxi operator Pony.ai has commenced testing rides with human staff inside between a suburb of Beijing and a major high-speed train station. This development marks a significant step forward in the advancement of autonomous driving technology.
According to a report by CNBC’s Evelyn Cheng, Pony.ai is making strides in the field of self-driving taxis with this latest testing initiative.
Pony.ai Partners with Stellantis for Self-Driving Taxi Tests in Europe
In another groundbreaking collaboration, Chinese robotaxi company Pony.ai has announced a partnership with Stellantis to test self-driving taxis in Europe. The companies plan to initiate tests in Luxembourg, where Pony.ai’s European division is headquartered, in the coming months. The collaboration will see a gradual rollout of autonomous taxis across European cities starting next year.
Pony.ai will provide the autonomous driving software, while Stellantis, the automotive giant behind brands like Chrysler, Citroën, and Jeep, will supply electric vehicles, starting with the Peugeot e-Traveller.
Expansion of Robotaxi Services to the Mass Market
Deploying robotaxis for the mass market typically involves local testing on public roads to establish a safety track record for regulatory approval. Stellantis’ Chief Engineering and Technology Officer, Ned Curic, praised Pony.ai for their technical expertise and collaborative approach in the development of autonomous driving systems.
Major cities in the U.S. and China have been at the forefront of allowing local companies to operate public-facing robotaxis. The recent efforts by Pony.ai and other companies to expand to regions like the Middle East and Europe signal a global push towards autonomous transportation solutions.
Waymo and WeRide’s Expansion Plans
In a related development, U.S.-based robotaxi operator Waymo announced plans to conduct tests in London before launching its self-driving taxi service in the city next year. Waymo, owned by Google parent company Alphabet, is a key player in the autonomous vehicle industry.
Pony.ai and its Chinese rival, WeRide, have both received regulatory approval in China for their plans to offer shares in a dual listing in Hong Kong. This move reflects the growing interest and investment in autonomous driving technology.
—CNBC’s Lora Kolodny contributed to this report.
