Pony.ai will launch a fleet of self-driving robotaxis in Dubai.
The motoring firm has entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to deploy its advanced robotaxi fleet in the region.
The collaboration underscores Pony.ai’s commitment to advancing autonomous driving technology in one of the world’s most dynamic metropolitan hubs.
Pony.ai robotaxis in Dubai
Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency at RTA, said: “The collaboration with Pony.ai marks another significant milestone in advancing Dubai’s Self-Driving Transport Strategy. This partnership is integral to our goal of transforming 25 per cent of all journeys in the city into autonomous trips by 2030, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global leader in autonomous mobility and innovation.
“We are excited to work with Pony.ai, a pioneer in autonomous driving technology, to further enhance the integration of smart transport solutions in Dubai.”
Dr. Leo Wang, CFO of Pony.ai said: “Dubai stands at the forefront of intelligent urban mobility innovation, and we are honoured to collaborate with RTA on this transformative initiative.
“By combining our proven autonomous driving technology and extensive fleet operation experience, we are committed to accelerating Dubai’s transition to autonomous transportation.”
Aligned with Dubai’s 2030 Smart City Vision, which targets transitioning 25 per cent of the city’s transportation to autonomous mode by 2030, the collaboration will introduce Pony.ai’s autonomous driving technology through a multi-phase rollout.
Initial supervised trials are set to launch in 2025, followed by fully driverless operations in 2026.
As a global leader in autonomous mobility solutions, Pony.ai plans to start mass production and deployment of its seventh-generation robotaxis in the second half of 2025. This initiative is expected to lay a robust foundation for the company’s global expansion.
The company aims to ramp up its robotaxi fleet globally to thousands of vehicles within the next two years, positioning 2025 as the inaugural year for large-scale commercial deployment.
This accelerated timeline is enabled by technological maturity, vehicle engineering, and operational readiness.
Pony.ai’s seventh-generation autonomous driving system, recently showcased at Auto Shanghai 2025, exemplifies this technological readiness.
For vehicle production, Pony.ai collaborates with industry leaders including Toyota, GAC Motor, and BAIC Motor to develop its seventh-generation robotaxis.
Mass deployment is slated for later this year following the vehicles’ successful debut in Shanghai in April.
The company has established a comprehensive robotaxi operation system featuring fully automated processes from vehicle dispatch to service conclusion.
In China, Pony.ai was the first autonomous driving company to offer fully driverless ride-hailing services across Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.
Its fleet of around 300 Robotaxi vehicles serves key hubs such as Beijing South Railway Station and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, while navigating complex environments such as Shenzhen’s densely populated Nanshan District, demonstrating scalable solutions adaptable to global urban environments.
Wang said: “We’ve built up real expertise in robotaxis from years of operations in China, and now we’re bringing that know-how to Dubai. Our goal is to give residents and visitors here driverless tech that’s not just greener and safer, but genuinely makes getting around this city easier for everyone”.
Long-term plans include integrating robotaxi services with Dubai’s multimodal transport network encompassing metro, tram, and maritime routes to create a future where autonomous vehicles complement existing infrastructure, enabling smoother journeys and reducing the city’s carbon footprint.
To date, Pony.ai has secured robotaxi testing permits across four major markets, including:
- United States
- China
- South Korea
- Luxembourg
The new partnership with Dubai further extends its global presence and represents a milestone in its expansion in the Middle East.
