Pony.ai Partners with Dubai RTA for Autonomous Mobility

Pony.ai has entered a Memorandum of Understanding with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to deploy its advanced robotaxi fleet in the region, announced in a press release. This collaboration is part of Dubai's Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to transform 25% of all journeys in the city into autonomous trips by 2030.

The partnership will see the introduction of Pony.ai's autonomous driving technology through a multi-phase rollout. Initial supervised trials are set to begin in 2025, with fully driverless operations expected by 2026. Pony.ai plans to start mass production and deployment of its seventh-generation robotaxis in the second half of 2025, marking the inaugural year for large-scale commercial deployment.

Pony.ai's robotaxi operation system, already established in China, will be adapted for Dubai's urban environment. The company has previously offered fully driverless ride-hailing services in major Chinese cities, demonstrating scalable solutions adaptable to global urban environments. This new partnership with Dubai further extends Pony.ai's global presence and represents a milestone in its expansion in the Middle East.