Pony AI and Toyota roll out mass-produced robotaxis in China’s autonomous drive push

Chinese self-driving technology firm Pony AI has started mass production of a robotaxi co-developed with Toyota, taking an important step forward in commercialising autonomous cabs worldwide.The Guangzhou-based company said on Monday that 1,000 driverless cabs of this kind would roll off the production line this year, to be deployed in top-tier mainland Chinese cities. The cars will reinforce Pony AI’s plan to operate a total robotaxi fleet of more than 3,000 units in various mainland and overseas markets by the end of 2026.“This milestone marks a new phase of scaled production and commercial deployment for the Pony-Toyota collaboration in robotaxi development and operations,” the company said in a statement. “It also highlights deep synergy between the partners across autonomous driving technology, vehicle manufacturing, and supply chain integration.”Toyota is a shareholder of Pony AI and collaborates with the company on producing autonomous cars.“Pony and Toyota are showing that a marriage between a provider of advanced self-driving technology and a powerful car assembler could fuel the growth of robotaxis in populated cities,” said Ding Haifeng, a consultant at Shanghai-based financial­ advisory firm Integrity. “More Chinese people will see robotaxis or experience them on certain streets this year.”According to current standards, robotaxis have level 4 (L4) self-driving capabilities. That meant they did not require human intervention in most circumstances, according to SAE International, a global standards body.The roll-out is an important step forward for Pony AI in commercialising autonomous cabs worldwide. Photo: Handout