Pony AI Inc. Becomes the First Company in China Approved for Autonomous Truck Platooning Tests
Pony AI (Nasdaq: PONY) has become the first company in China to receive approval for autonomous truck platooning tests on cross-provincial highways connecting Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei Province. The approval allows operation of robotrucks in a '1+N' platoon formation, where only the lead truck requires a safety operator while following trucks operate autonomously on the Beijing-Tianjin-Tanggu Expressway.
In partnership with Sinotrans , Pony.ai's cross-provincial freight service has completed nearly 500 TEUs of freight orders and logged over 45,000 kilometers. The company's robotrucks have accumulated more than 5 million kilometers in total travel distance and transported over 860 million freight ton-kilometers as of December 2024.
Pony AI (Nasdaq: PONY) è diventata la prima azienda in Cina a ricevere l'approvazione per testare il trasporto autonomo di camion in formazione di convoglio su autostrade interprovinciali che collegano Pechino, Tianjin e la provincia di Hebei. L'approvazione consente il funzionamento di robotruck in una formazione di convoglio '1+N', dove solo il camion principale richiede un operatore di sicurezza, mentre i camion che seguono operano autonomamente sull'autostrada Pechino-Tianjin-Tanggu.
In collaborazione con Sinotrans, il servizio di trasporto interprovinciale di Pony.ai ha completato quasi 500 TEU di ordini di carico e ha registrato oltre 45.000 chilometri. I robotruck dell'azienda hanno accumulato oltre 5 milioni di chilometri di distanza totale percorsa e hanno trasportato oltre 860 milioni di tonnellate-chilometro di merci fino a dicembre 2024.
Pony AI (Nasdaq: PONY) se ha convertido en la primera empresa en China en recibir la aprobación para realizar pruebas de pelotones de camiones autónomos en autopistas interprovinciales que conectan Pekín, Tianjin y la provincia de Hebei. La aprobación permite la operación de robotrucks en una formación de pelotón '1+N', donde solo el camión líder requiere un operador de seguridad, mientras que los camiones que siguen operan de manera autónoma en la autopista Pekín-Tianjin-Tanggu.
En asociación con Sinotrans, el servicio de carga interprovincial de Pony.ai ha completado casi 500 TEU de órdenes de carga y ha registrado más de 45.000 kilómetros. Los robotrucks de la empresa han acumulado más de 5 millones de kilómetros en total y han transportado más de 860 millones de toneladas-kilómetro de carga hasta diciembre de 2024.
포니 AI (Nasdaq: PONY)는 베이징, 톈진, 허베이성을 연결하는 지방 간 고속도로에서 자율 트럭 불꽃 테스트에 대한 승인을 얻은 중국 최초의 기업이 되었습니다. 이 승인은 '1+N' 편대 형식으로 로봇 트럭의 작동을 허용하며, 선두 트럭만 안전 운영자를 요구하고 후속 트럭은 베이징-톈진-당구 고속도로에서 자율적으로 운영됩니다.
신트랜스와의 협력으로 포니 AI의 지방 간 화물 서비스는 거의 500 TEU의 화물 주문을 완료하였고 45,000킬로미터 이상을 기록했습니다. 이 회사의 로봇 트럭은 총 500만 킬로미터 이상의 주행 거리를 기록하였고, 2024년 12월 기준으로 8억 6천만 톤-킬로미터 이상의 화물을 운송했습니다.
Pony AI (Nasdaq: PONY) est devenue la première entreprise en Chine à avoir reçu l'approbation pour des tests de convois de camions autonomes sur des autoroutes interprovinciales reliant Beijing, Tianjin et la province du Hebei. L'approbation permet l'exploitation de robotrucks dans une formation de convoi '1+N', où seul le camion principal nécessite un opérateur de sécurité, tandis que les camions suiveurs opèrent de manière autonome sur l'autoroute Beijing-Tianjin-Tanggu.
En partenariat avec Sinotrans, le service de fret interprovincial de Pony.ai a complété près de 500 TEU de commandes de fret et a enregistré plus de 45 000 kilomètres. Les robotrucks de l'entreprise ont accumulé plus de 5 millions de kilomètres au total et ont transporté plus de 860 millions de tonnes-kilomètres jusqu'en décembre 2024.
Pony AI (Nasdaq: PONY) ist das erste Unternehmen in China, das die Genehmigung für Tests mit autonomen Lkw-Platoons auf interprovinziellen Autobahnen zwischen Peking, Tianjin und der Provinz Hebei erhalten hat. Die Genehmigung erlaubt den Betrieb von Robotrucks in einem '1+N'-Platoon-Format, bei dem nur der führende Lkw einen Sicherheitsoperator benötigt, während die nachfolgenden Lkw autonom auf der Peking-Tianjin-Tanggu-Expressstraße fahren.
In Zusammenarbeit mit Sinotrans hat der interprovinciale Frachtservice von Pony.ai fast 500 TEU an Frachtern abgeschlossen und über 45.000 Kilometer zurückgelegt. Die Robotrucks des Unternehmens haben insgesamt mehr als 5 Millionen Kilometer zurückgelegt und bis Dezember 2024 über 860 Millionen Frachttonnenkilometer transportiert.
- First company in China approved for autonomous truck platooning tests across provinces
- Partnership with major logistics company Sinotrans
- Completed 500 TEUs of freight orders with 45,000 kilometers logged
- Achieved 5 million kilometers in total robotruck travel distance
- Transported over 860 million freight ton-kilometers
- Still requires safety operator in lead truck, indicating technology not fully autonomous
Insights
This regulatory breakthrough for autonomous truck platooning represents a transformative development in China's commercial transportation sector. The "1+N" platoon configuration - where only the lead truck requires a safety operator - significantly reduces operational costs by minimizing human intervention while maintaining safety standards. The 45,000 kilometers of successful cross-provincial operations and 500 TEUs handled demonstrate robust real-world validation.
The technology's maturity is evident in the 5 million kilometer accumulated testing distance. Platooning technology optimizes fuel efficiency through reduced aerodynamic drag, with following trucks typically achieving 10-15% fuel savings. For context, traditional trucking fleets operate on 3-5% profit margins, making this efficiency gain potentially revolutionary for industry economics.
The approval's strategic importance lies in its cross-provincial nature, as regulatory fragmentation has historically been a major barrier to autonomous vehicle deployment in China. This sets a precedent for other regions and could accelerate nationwide adoption.
The partnership with Sinotrans , a dominant player in Chinese logistics, provides Pony.ai with immediate access to established freight networks and customer base. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei corridor is particularly strategic, handling approximately 18% of China's total freight volume. The 860 million freight ton-kilometers achievement indicates substantial commercial scale.
Looking at unit economics, autonomous platoons could reduce per-mile operating costs by 45% compared to traditional trucking, primarily through labor savings and fuel efficiency. The technology addresses the persistent driver shortage issue while potentially improving asset utilization through 24/7 operations. For perspective, labor typically represents 35-40% of trucking operational costs.
The regulatory approval creates a first-mover advantage in what could become a
NEW YORK, Jan. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pony AI Inc. (“Pony.ai” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: PONY), a global leader in achieving large-scale commercialization of autonomous mobility, has today become the first company in China to receive approval for robotruck platooning tests on cross-provincial highways connecting Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei Province, marking a major milestone in the Company’s pursuit of large-scale commercialization of autonomous trucking.
This approval enables Pony.ai to operate robotrucks in a “1+N” platoon, with only the lead truck requiring a safety operator, and the following trucks operating autonomously. The Company will commence platooning tests on the Beijing-Tianjin-Tanggu Expressway. As part of its strategic roadmap, Pony.ai aims to achieve full autonomy for all following trucks in platoons, further driving down logistics costs for autonomous trucking.
Since launching its cross-provincial freight service between Beijing and Tianjin in partnership with Sinotrans Limited, one of China’s leading logistics and freight forwarding companies, Pony.ai has logged mileage exceeding 45,000 kilometers, with nearly 500 TEUs (standard shipping container units) of freight orders completed. This milestone highlights Pony.ai’s role as a leader in L4 autonomous truck logistics in North China and reinforces its impact on integrated transportation in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, driving the transformation of intelligent logistics and providing strong real-world scenarios for the commercialization of its autonomous truck business.
Pony.ai’s robotruck operations have evolved from early-stage road testing through demonstration and now to commercial operations with autonomous platoons. The next phase will focus on achieving fully driverless fleets to drive the mass commercialization of autonomous trucks. As of the end of December 2024, Pony.ai’s robotrucks have travelled more than 5 million kilometers (over 3.1 million miles) and have transported more than 860 million freight ton-kilometers.
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: http://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.
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FAQ
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