PONY AI Inc. Among the First to Receive Permit for Fully Driverless Commercial Robotaxi Services Shanghai’s Pudong New Area

Rhea-AI Summary

Pony AI (NASDAQ:PONY), a leader in autonomous mobility, has secured a permit to operate fully driverless commercial Robotaxi services in Shanghai's Pudong New Area. The company becomes the only provider with such permits across all four of China's tier-one cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.

The service will initially launch in the Jinqiao and Huamu core business districts before expanding to other areas. The operating zone in Pudong New Area spans nearly 1,400 square kilometers with over 5 million residents. Notably, the Huamu area is strategically located less than 3 kilometers from Lujiazui, Shanghai's premier financial district.

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• None.

Negative

• Initial service limited to specific districts of Jinqiao and Huamu
• Operating in a highly competitive autonomous driving market in China

Insights

Autonomous Mobility Industry Expert

Pony.ai secured a pivotal permit in Shanghai, becoming the only company with driverless commercial service approval across all Chinese tier-one cities.

Pony.ai's newly acquired permit for fully driverless commercial robotaxi operations in Shanghai's Pudong New Area represents a significant regulatory milestone and competitive advantage in China's autonomous vehicle sector. Being among the first recipients and now the only company with permits across all four tier-one Chinese cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen) establishes Pony.ai as the clear market leader in China's autonomous mobility space.

The company's strategic rollout in Jinqiao and Huamu targets high-value districts within Pudong's commercial hub. The Huamu area's proximity to Lujiazui (Shanghai's financial center) positions Pony.ai to access premium customers in one of China's most economically significant regions. Operating in Pudong—with its 5+ million population across nearly 1,400 square kilometers—gives Pony.ai access to multinational corporations, financial institutions, and innovation centers.

This approval demonstrates increasing regulatory confidence in Pony.ai's technology and safety standards. For commercial viability, securing operation rights in dense urban environments with premium customer bases is crucial for autonomous vehicle economics. The ability to operate in all tier-one Chinese cities gives Pony.ai unmatched scale advantages in fleet optimization, operational efficiency, and data collection—essential components for refining autonomous driving systems.

By targeting financial districts and business hubs, Pony.ai is positioning itself to serve high-margin business customers rather than just focusing on mass-market transportation. This permits Pony.ai to demonstrate the commercial viability of autonomous mobility in China's most demanding urban environments while establishing critical market presence ahead of competitors.

SHANGHAI, China, July 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pony AI Inc. (“Pony.ai” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: PONY), a global leader in achieving large-scale commercialization of autonomous mobility, today announced that it has received a permit to provide fully driverless commercial Robotaxi services of Shanghai’s Pudong New Area, issued at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (“WAIC”) 2025. This achievement demonstrates not only increasing regulatory trust and recognition in the Company’s technology and safety standards, but also represents another major milestone in advancing Robotaxi commercialization in a top-tier urban market in China.

Pony.ai is among the first companies to receive this approval, making it the only company with fully driverless commercial Robotaxi service permits in all four of China’s tier-one cities—Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. The Company will launch fully driverless ride-hailing services, starting in the core business district of Jinqiao and Huamu before expanding to other regions. This milestone demonstrates Pony.ai’s technological and operational readiness and solidifies its leadership in advancing autonomous mobility in China — further accelerating the integration of self-driving technology into Shanghai’s urban ecosystem.

With a population of over 5 million people across nearly 1,400 square kilometers, Pudong New Area is home to key financial institutions, multinational corporations, and high-tech innovation hubs, serving as a gateway to China’s economy for the world. The newly opened area in Jinqiao and Huamu represents the strategic core area of Pudong New Area. In particular, Huamu is located less than 3 kilometers from Lujiazui, the heart of Shanghai’s financial district and luxury retails. This close proximity enables Pony.ai to engage with premium users and unlock substantial commercial opportunities in the future.

About Pony AI Inc.

Pony AI Inc. is a global leader in achieving large-scale commercialization of autonomous mobility. Leveraging its vehicle-agnostic Virtual Driver technology, a full-stack autonomous driving technology that seamlessly integrates Pony.ai’s proprietary software, hardware, and services, Pony.ai is developing a commercially viable and sustainable business model that enables the mass production and deployment of vehicles across transportation use cases. Founded in 2016, Pony.ai has expanded its presence across China, Europe, East Asia, the Middle East and other regions, ensuring widespread accessibility to its advanced technology. For more information, please visit: https://ir.pony.ai.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to,” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Pony.ai’s beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Pony.ai’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Pony.ai does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Pony.ai
Investor Relations
Email: ir@pony.ai
Media Relations
Email: media@pony.ai

Christensen Advisory
Email: pony@christensencomms.com

FAQ

What permit did Pony AI (NASDAQ:PONY) receive in Shanghai?

Pony AI received a permit to provide fully driverless commercial Robotaxi services in Shanghai's Pudong New Area, issued at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2025.

Where will Pony AI's robotaxi service operate in Shanghai?

The service will initially operate in the Jinqiao and Huamu core business districts of Pudong New Area, with plans to expand to other regions.

In which Chinese cities does Pony AI have driverless permits?

Pony AI is the only company with fully driverless commercial Robotaxi permits in all four of China's tier-one cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.

What is the size of Pony AI's service area in Pudong?

The service area covers nearly 1,400 square kilometers with a population of over 5 million people across Pudong New Area.

How close is Pony AI's service area to Shanghai's financial district?

The Huamu service area is located less than 3 kilometers from Lujiazui, Shanghai's main financial district and luxury retail hub.