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Pony.ai Secures First Permit for Driverless Taxi Fares in China
BEIJING — In a significant advancement for the driverless vehicle industry, Pony.ai, a Chinese robotics start-up, has received the inaugural permit in China to impose fares on fully autonomous taxis in a prominent business district of Shenzhen. This milestone marks an important step in the company’s efforts to develop a profit-driven robotaxi service.
Shenzhen, referred to as China’s Silicon Valley, serves as a pivotal tech hub in southern China. The new permit grants Pony.ai the ability to charge passengers for rides in designated zones within the Nanshan district, known for being the headquarters of major technology companies like Tencent and DJI. However, the permit is geographically limited, allowing operation only in specific areas, including parts of the financial sub-district.
Previously, Pony.ai had already ventured into offering robotaxi services in other districts of Shenzhen. The company has also been operating taxis staffed with human drivers on set routes connecting to the Shenzhen international airport and the Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint, which borders Hong Kong.
Although Pony.ai refrained from specifying the number of driverless taxis slated for operation in Shenzhen, they indicated that these autonomous vehicles are scheduled to function daily from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time. Riders can book their robotaxi journeys via Pony.ai’s app or through a mini-program integrated within WeChat, a widely used messaging platform in China.
In addition to its presence in Shenzhen, Pony.ai has also established robotaxi services in other major Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. The company boasts a fleet exceeding 250 vehicles operating across the nation as of late November.
In late 2021, authorities in Beijing initiated a pilot program allowing both Baidu’s Apollo Go and Pony.ai to charge fares for their robotaxi services in select suburban areas. More recently, in mid-March, Pony.ai announced the launch of a paid robotaxi route connecting a southern suburb to Beijing South Railway Station. However, current regulations require that a human attendant occupy the driver’s seat during these trips, with reservations necessary a full day in advance.
In its latest financial disclosures, Pony.ai reported a notable uptick in passenger fares during the fourth quarter compared to the previous year, although precise figures were withheld. Despite this increase, the company’s overall revenue from robotaxi services experienced a decline of approximately 61.9% year-on-year, totaling $2.6 million in the fourth quarter. This decrease is attributed to reduced service fees related to its autonomous vehicle engineering solutions. Conversely, revenue from its robotruck operations surged by 72.7% year-on-year, reaching $12.9 million, thanks to the expansion of its robotruck fleet.
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