Dubai: Robotaxis set to launch this year, go fully driverless in 2026
Chinese autonomous vehicle (AV) technology company Pony.ai announced on Tuesday it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to deploy advanced robotaxi fleet in the region.
Pony.ai will introduce autonomous driving technology through a multi-phase rollout. Initial supervised trials are set to launch in 2025, followed by fully driverless operations in 2026.
The MoU comes following Pony.ai's unveiling of its seventh-generation autonomous driving system alongside at the Shanghai Auto Show last month.
According to Pony.ai, 'the seventh-generation autonomous driving system features 100 per cent automotive-grade autonomous driving kit with an extended product lifecycle, delivering enhanced stability and safety for passengers.
'The autonomous driving kit hardware suite achieves a 70 per cent cost reduction while meeting stringent automotive-grade standards. (Our) advanced sensor array handles complex scenarios ranging from high-speed highways to crowed urban centres like Dubai's business and financial districts. The platform-based design enables rapid adaptation across different vehicle types,' the Chinese AV tech company added.
Pony.ai added it 'plans to start mass production and deployment of its seventh-generation robotaxis in the second half of 2025 as part it of its global expansion."
For vehicle production, Pony.ai is collaborating with Toyota, GAC Motor, and BAIC Motor to develop its seventh-generation robotaxis. Mass deployment is slated for later this year, the company noted.
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.
"We've built up real expertise in robotaxis from years of operations in China, and now we're bringing that know-how to Dubai,' said Pony.ai CFO Dr Leo Wang, adding: '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.
Wang noted: 'Dubai stands at the forefront of intelligent urban mobility innovation, and we are honored 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."
He added 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.
This is aligned with Dubai's 2030 Smart City Vision — which targets transitioning 25 per cent of the city's transportation to autonomous mode by 2030.
Wang added there are long-term plans to integrate robotaxi services with Dubai's transport network, including metro, tram, and maritime routes.
Back in October 2023, during Gitex Global, Pony.ai signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi's Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry to join Abu Dhabi's Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) cluster, located in Masdar City.
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