Strategic partnership signed between Pony.ai, Dubai RTA for robotaxi deployment

On July 4, Pony.ai, a listed enterprise in Nansha district, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai and held a robotaxi launch ceremony.

The two sides will collaborate to accelerate the commercial deployment of robotaxi in Dubai. The first batch of vehicles will commence road tests this year, laying the groundwork for fully driverless commercial operations in 2026.

The Smart Mobility robotaxi operates in Dubai. [Photo/WeChat account: gz_nanshafabu]

Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, the chief executive officer of the RTA; Shi Yu, the vice president of Pony.ai; His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, the director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA; and Wang Haojun, the chief financial officer of Pony.ai, and others, witnessed the signing.

The two parties are committed to advancing the integration of L4 autonomous driving technology into Dubai's transportation system to enhance travel efficiency, mitigate congestion, build sustainable transportation solutions, and support Dubai's objective of ensuring that autonomous driving trips account for 25 percent of total trips by 2030. Pony.ai's robotaxi will operate in phases throughout Dubai, with the first fleet of vehicles designed to connect with the local integrated transportation network.

In 2025, Pony.ai achieved fruitful results in its operations. Technologically, the company introduced its seventh-generation Robotaxi, which employs 100 percent automotive-grade components, improving cost-effectiveness and adaptability. With respect to market expansion, Pony.ai has collaborated with global partners to facilitate the widespread adoption of autonomous driving travel services in markets such as the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, demonstrating the company's maturity in serving global transportation systems and winning recognition in the international market.