Pony AI scales robotaxi fleet as Chinese riders quickly adopt driverless rides

James Peng, who founded Pony AI after stints at Google and Baidu, observes that Chinese consumers are rapidly adjusting their habits around driverless taxis, exemplified by a regular rider who uses the vehicle as a nap spot. Pony AI now fields roughly 1,200 robotaxis in major Chinese cities and aims to reach 3,000 by the end of the year, matching Waymo’s fleet size. The company logs about 26 trips per car per day, delivering more than 25,000 rides daily, and has extended operations to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Singapore, with plans for Europe beginning in Zagreb, Croatia.

China’s manufacturing strength, notably ultra-cheap lidar from Hesai Technology, and abundant tech talent create a fertile environment, while a 2023 PwC poll shows 85% of Chinese drivers feel comfortable with fully autonomous rides. Government support through pilot zones and subsidies further accelerates deployment. Partnerships with Uber, Bolt, ComfortDelGro, Stellantis and a joint venture with Toyota and Guangzhou Automobile Group underpin its global push, though Peng says large-scale U.S. service is unlikely due to upcoming restrictions.