Pony.ai partners with Dubai's RTA to launch Robotaxi fleet

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On May 27, autonomous driving technology company Pony.ai announced a strategic partnership with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to deploy a Robotaxi fleet in the emirate. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Pony.ai's international expansion, extending its autonomous driving solutions—already validated in the complex traffic conditions of major Chinese cities—into the global market with Dubai as a key launchpad.

Under the partnership plan, phased implementation will begin with pilot operations in 2025, followed by fully driverless commercial services in 2026. The Robotaxi fleet is expected to integrate seamlessly with Dubai's multimodal transportation system, including metro, tram, and maritime transit networks.

Pony.ai said its seventh-generation Robotaxi vehicle introduces three core advantages: full-scale automotive-grade production, sharply reduced costs for autonomous driving kits, and platform-based design allowing rapid adaptation across multiple vehicle models. The vehicle is equipped with a six-sensor production-grade array, enabling 360-degree blind-spot-free perception. This is supported by the company's proprietary sensor-cleaning system, ensuring reliable all-weather performance in high-density urban environments such as Dubai's financial district.

Unveiled globally at the Auto Shanghai 2025, the seventh-generation Robotaxi family was developed through deep collaborations with strategic partners including Toyota Motor, GAC Group, and BAIC Group. Backed by its "Kunlun Project"—a fully integrated R&D-to-mass-production system—Pony.ai will begin production of the first batch of vehicles in the second half of 2025. The models are engineered for a 10-year or 600,000-kilometer service life, aimed at global deployment.

Pony.ai's operational expertise in China's complex metropolitan environments also supports its international ambitions. Its proprietary intelligent dispatching platform automates the entire service process—from ride assignment to transaction settlement—and has been deployed across Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. The system is optimized for high-demand locations including transportation hubs and commercial districts.

Following its global strategic alliance with Uber, the Dubai project represents another critical pillar in Pony.ai's Middle East market expansion. The company plans to scale up its Robotaxi fleet in the region to several thousand vehicles within the next two years.