Pony AI Inc. (“Pony.ai” or the “Company”), a global leader in achieving large-scale commercialization of autonomous mobility, today announced that it has received a permit to provide fully driverless commercial Robotaxi services of Shanghai’s Pudong New Area, issued at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (“WAIC”) 2025. This achievement demonstrates not only increasing regulatory trust and recognition in the Company’s technology and safety standards, but also represents another major milestone in advancing Robotaxi commercialization in a top-tier urban market in China.
Pony.ai is among the first companies to receive this approval, making it the only company with fully driverless commercial Robotaxi service permits in all four of China’s tier-one cities—Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. The Company will launch fully driverless ride-hailing services, starting in the core business district of Jinqiao and Huamu before expanding to other regions. This milestone demonstrates Pony.ai’s technological and operational readiness and solidifies its leadership in advancing autonomous mobility in China — further accelerating the integration of self-driving technology into Shanghai’s urban ecosystem.
With a population of over 5 million people across nearly 1,400 square kilometers, Pudong New Area is home to key financial institutions, multinational corporations, and high-tech innovation hubs, serving as a gateway to China’s economy for the world. The newly opened area in Jinqiao and Huamu represents the strategic core area of Pudong New Area. In particular, Huamu is located less than 3 kilometers from Lujiazui, the heart of Shanghai’s financial district and luxury retails. This close proximity enables Pony.ai to engage with premium users and unlock substantial commercial opportunities in the future.
SOURCE: Pony AI
