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Highlights

  • Pony.ai is the first company authorized for paid driverless robotaxi services in Shenzhen
  • Expansion connects Nanshan and Baoan districts, covering Shenzhen's key urban zones
  • The move supports the growing demand for smart mobility solutions in dense urban environments

Pony.ai (NASDAQ: PONY) achieved a significant milestone on March 27, 2025, as the first company authorized to operate paid fully-driverless robotaxi services in Shenzhen's Nanshan District. This marks a key moment in the city's progress toward offering autonomous ride-hailing services in its urban centers.

The move comes shortly after Pony.ai launched robotaxi services in Shenzhen's Baoan District, with a population of over 4 million people. Now, with the authorization to expand operations to Nanshan, the company is bringing its driverless technology to one of the most dynamic districts in Shenzhen, which has a GDP nearing RMB 1 trillion in 2024. Nanshan is home to nearly 2 million people, surpassing the population of cities such as San Francisco, making it a strategic location for smart mobility solutions.

The new permit allows Pony.ai to establish Shenzhen's first cross-district driverless network, connecting Nanshan's technology hubs with Baoan’s business and residential areas. This network will also link critical infrastructure like the Shenzhen Baoan International Airport, ensuring seamless connectivity for commuters.

Pony.ai’s fleet is already demonstrating remarkable performance in Shenzhen’s dense urban environment, known for its challenging traffic, narrow lanes, and irregular intersections. This expansion is a testament to the maturity and effectiveness of Pony.ai's autonomous systems.

In addition to its operations in Shenzhen, Pony.ai continues to lead autonomous mobility in China's tier-1 cities, including Beijing and Guangzhou. The company has accumulated nearly 45 million kilometers in autonomous testing and maintains high demand for its robotaxi services.