Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On November 5, autonomous driving technology company Pony.ai officially launched its Gen-7 Robotaxi fleet into commercial operation, according to a post on its WeChat account.
Beginning this month, the upgraded vehicles—based on the ARCFOX Alpha T5 and the 2nd-gen AION V models—will begin serving passengers in Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Users can hail the new Robotaxi directly through the "Pony.ai" mobile app or mini program, gaining access to a fully refreshed design and user experience.
From its global debut in April to public road testing in June, Pony.ai's Gen-7 Robotaxi has moved from prototype to commercial operation in just six months. The rapid rollout underscores the company's commitment and capability to scale its autonomous fleet, laying the groundwork for its goal of deploying 1,000 vehicles by the end of 2025.
The new generation marks a major step toward mass deployment. Built entirely with automotive-grade components and a designed lifespan of 600,000 kilometers, the vehicle's autonomous driving suite is 70% more cost-efficient than its predecessor.
Before launch, the vehicle underwent a comprehensive series of automotive-grade durability and reliability tests, including extreme temperature and environmental trials, as well as over 3.5 million kilometers of public road testing. With these validations complete, Pony.ai's latest Robotaxi is now ready to welcome passengers.
Visually, the Gen-7 Robotaxi debuts a refreshed exterior design that fuses technology with human warmth. The bright blue color scheme accentuates its futuristic identity, while the company's redesigned mascot, POPO, adds a touch of friendliness and brand recognition.
Pony.ai has also reimagined the passenger onboarding experience, adding a sense of ceremony to every ride. As a passenger approaches, the car automatically identifies them via Bluetooth signal and unlocks the doors. A new LED front display offers customizable lighting effects that can change color or pattern based on passenger preference, personalizing each pick-up moment.
Through these personalized interactions, the Gen-7 Robotaxi fosters a more human connection between passengers and the vehicle from the very start of the journey.
Inside, the vehicle embodies Pony.ai's latest human-centered digital design. Before entering, users can pre-set the air conditioning or ventilation through the app. Once seated and buckled up, they can simply say "start trip" to initiate the fully autonomous ride.
The redesigned in-vehicle interface consolidates trip information, music, and climate control into one seamless display. Future updates will integrate voice control, enabling passengers to enjoy a fully connected, intelligent travel experience.
Responding to user feedback, Pony.ai has opened the front passenger seat to riders for the first time, optimizing cabin space and enhancing convenience for groups or families traveling together.
Comfort has also been improved. Using its self-developed world model and virtual driver technology, Pony.ai has refined acceleration and braking patterns to better align with road conditions and driver behavior, minimizing motion sickness often associated with electric vehicles. The result is a smoother, more natural ride that surpasses human-level driving comfort.
The new Robotaxi is equipped with 34 sensors across six categories, including 9 LiDAR units, 14 cameras, and 4 millimeter-wave radars. These systems enable 360-degree perception and long-range detection up to 650 meters, allowing the vehicle to navigate complex urban and highway environments.
The sensor suite incorporates Pony.ai's self-developed cleaning system, designed to maintain sensor accuracy even in rare or challenging "long-tail" scenarios. This ensures reliable operation across urban, highway, and ring-road conditions, as well as in rain, snow, or fog.
To guarantee operational safety, the Gen-7 Robotaxi employs a multi-layer redundant system with over 20 redundancy mechanisms and 1,000 safety monitoring protocols. A physical SOS button also allows passengers to instantly connect with remote assistance in case of emergency.
