Pony AI Inc. (NASDAQ: PONY) is making significant strides in the autonomous driving space with an exciting new development in Dubai. On Friday, the company announced it has received a permit from Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to begin autonomous driving trials within the emirate. This milestone puts Pony AI closer to launching its commercial autonomous vehicle services in the Middle East, marking a major step in the global expansion of its innovative technology.
This latest approval builds on a foundation that was set earlier this year when Pony AI and Dubai’s RTA announced a partnership in May. In July, Pony AI showcased a robotaxi tailored for Dubai, reinforcing their commitment to Level 4 autonomous mobility. Both organizations are aligned with Dubai’s ambitious goal of having 25% of city trips conducted by driverless vehicles by 2030—an initiative aimed at transforming urban transportation and enhancing the city’s smart infrastructure.
The permit announcement came on the heels of the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport held on September 25th. At the congress, Pony AI displayed its cutting-edge autonomous technology along with a preview of its planned robotaxi for Dubai. The event revolved around the theme “Redefining Mobility: The Path to Autonomy,” which highlighted Dubai’s forward-thinking vision to integrate autonomous transport deeply into the fabric of city life, aiming to shift a quarter of all urban journeys to driverless modes within the next decade.
With the new permit secured, Pony AI has already initiated pilot trials in select areas within Dubai. These trials are a critical phase in testing and refining the autonomous driving technology in real-world conditions. The company plans to roll out a driverless commercial launch by 2026. Looking ahead, Pony AI aims to seamlessly integrate its ride-hailing service with Dubai’s existing public transport network to enhance safety, sustainability, and overall mobility—goals that are at the heart of the city’s smart mobility vision.
Dr. James Peng, Founder and CEO of Pony AI, expressed optimism about the partnership and future prospects. He emphasized Dubai’s well-established transport infrastructure, supportive regulatory environment, and the public’s openness to new technologies as key factors driving the company’s confidence. Peng reiterated Pony AI’s commitment to accelerating the deployment of robotaxi services not only in Dubai but across the broader Middle East region, signaling a strategic expansion for the firm.
This year has been a landmark period for Pony AI. In April, the company started mass production of its seventh-generation autonomous driving system. By August, the company’s fleet had grown impressively to over 500 vehicles operating across several major Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, covering an area of 2,000 square kilometers.
Pony AI is also reinforcing its presence globally. Earlier this month, it struck a partnership with Qatar’s Mowasalat to introduce autonomous driving technology in the country. Additionally, just last week, it announced a collaboration with Singapore’s ComfortDelGro, further expanding its footprint in Southeast Asia.
Beyond regional partnerships, Pony AI is working with global giants like Uber (NYSE: UBER) to integrate its robotaxis into Uber’s ride-hailing platform, with initial deployment plans focused on the Middle East. The company is also conducting tests with Luxembourg’s Emile Weber operator and running 24/7 autonomous vehicle trials in Seoul’s Gangnam district, demonstrating a broad and dynamic approach to advancing autonomous mobility worldwide.
On the financial side, Pony AI’s shares experienced a dip, trading down by 3.05% to $20.66 at the last check on Friday, reflecting the usual market fluctuations as the company navigates these exciting developments.
Overall, Pony AI’s achievements and partnerships highlight its commitment to shaping the future of urban transportation through intelligent, driverless vehicle technology, not only in Dubai but across multiple continents. With commercial launches on the horizon and innovative trials underway, the company is paving the way for a safer, more connected, and highly autonomous transportation landscape.
