Pony.ai Wins First Permit for Fully Driverless Robotaxi Operation in Shenzhen's City Centers

Rhea-AI Summary

Pony.ai (NASDAQ: PONY) has secured the first permit to operate paid fully-driverless robotaxis in Shenzhen's Nanshan District, expanding its service to connect with existing operations in Baoan District. The expansion covers two major urban areas, including Nanshan District with its GDP of nearly RMB1 trillion and 2 million residents.

The cross-district network links Nanshan's tech hubs with Baoan's central areas and the Shenzhen Baoan International Airport. The service operates daily from 7:30 AM to 10:00 PM and can be accessed through Pony.ai's app or WeChat mini-program.

The company's performance metrics include:

• 15 daily paid rides per vehicle in Beijing and Guangzhou (H1 2024)
• 45 million kilometers in autonomous testing accumulated
• 5 million kilometers in driverless mode completed

Positive

• First company to receive paid fully-driverless robotaxi permit in Shenzhen's Nanshan District
• Expansion into Nanshan District with GDP of nearly RMB1 trillion
• Cross-district network connecting major business and transport hubs
• Demonstrated success with 15 daily paid rides per vehicle in other tier-1 cities
• Significant operational experience with 45M km in autonomous testing

Negative

• operating hours (7:30 AM to 10:00 PM)
• Service restricted to authorized zones only
• Complex urban environment challenges (tunnels, heavy traffic, narrow lanes)

Insights

Technology Analyst

Pony.ai's achievement in securing Shenzhen's first permit for paid fully-driverless robotaxis in Nanshan District represents a significant competitive advantage in the autonomous vehicle space. The expansion creates China's first cross-district driverless network, connecting two economically vital areas with a combined population of over 6 million residents.

The technical achievement here shouldn't be underestimated - Shenzhen's dense urban landscape presents extraordinary challenges for autonomous systems with its tunnels, heavy traffic, and irregular intersections. This deployment demonstrates Pony.ai's technological maturity in handling complex real-world scenarios beyond controlled environments.

The operational metrics are particularly compelling: fully-driverless vehicles in Beijing and Guangzhou are averaging 15+ daily paid rides per vehicle, indicating growing consumer acceptance. With 45 million kilometers of autonomous testing accumulated, including 5 million in driverless mode, Pony.ai has built a substantial data advantage that creates barriers to entry for competitors.

This permit strategically positions Pony.ai to capture high-value routes between business districts, residential areas, and transport hubs including Shenzhen Baoan International Airport. By establishing commercial operations in Nanshan - a trillion-yuan GDP district - they're targeting areas with optimal combination of affluent customers, high commuter density, and business travel demand.

Financial Analyst

This regulatory milestone unlocks substantial revenue growth potential for Pony.ai in one of China's most economically vibrant regions. Nanshan District's nearly RMB1 trillion GDP concentration combined with its dense population creates ideal conditions for robotaxi service adoption and monetization.

The cross-district network effect is particularly valuable - by connecting two major districts (Nanshan and Baoan), Pony.ai creates service utility that standalone operations couldn't achieve. This network expansion should drive higher utilization rates and improve unit economics as fixed technology costs are spread across more revenue-generating rides.

The 15+ daily paid rides per vehicle metric from other markets provides a critical benchmark for projecting potential revenue generation in this expanded territory. As autonomous operations scale, marginal costs per ride decrease substantially since driver costs (typically 70-80% of traditional ride-hailing expenses) are eliminated.

The 14.5-hour daily operating window (7:30AM-10:00PM) maximizes vehicle utilization during peak demand periods while maintaining reasonable maintenance windows. As Pony.ai accumulates more operational data in these complex environments, their systems should achieve higher reliability and lower intervention rates, further improving margins.

This permit cements Pony.ai's first-mover advantage in commercializing autonomous technology in China's tier-1 cities, potentially accelerating their path to profitability ahead of competitors still focusing on supervised testing.

SHENZHEN, China, March 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pony.ai (NASDAQ: PONY) became the first company authorized to operate paid fully-driverless robotaxis in Shenzhen's Nanshan District on March 27, marking a milestone as the city's inaugural permit for paid autonomous ride-hailing services within its city centers.

The company further solidifies its leadership by expanding commercial operations to connect Nanshan with its existing service zone in Baoan District, covering two of Shenzhen's most dynamic urban areas.

Nanshan District, Shenzhen's economic powerhouse with a GDP nearing RMB1 trillion in 2024 and close to 2 million residents, surpasses the population of cities like San Francisco. By deploying here, Pony.ai addresses the growing demand for smart mobility solutions in a district that blends rapid innovation with a high concentration of businesses and commuters.

This expansion builds on Pony.ai's successful launch of robotaxi services in Shenzhen's Baoan District in 2024, where more than 4 million people reside. The latest permit enables the company to establish Shenzhen's first cross-district driverless network, linking Nanshan's tech hubs (including Qianhai, Houhai, and Shenzhen Bay) with Baoan's central areas and critical infrastructure such as Shenzhen Baoan International Airport. Commuters now enjoy seamless connectivity between business, residential, and transport hubs.

Shenzhen's dense urban environment—characterized by tunnels, heavy traffic, narrow lanes, and irregular intersections—demands rigorous performance from autonomous technology. Pony.ai's fleet has demonstrated exceptional proficiency in these scenarios, underscoring the maturity and robustness of its systems.

The company continues to lead autonomous mobility innovation across China's tier-1 cities, with fully-driverless robotaxis in Beijing and Guangzhou averaged over 15 daily paid rides per vehicle in the first six months of 2024 as passenger confidence grows. To date, Pony.ai has accumulated nearly 45 million kilometers in autonomous testing, including 5 million kilometers in driverless mode.

James Peng, CEO of Pony.ai, emphasized: "Expanding our fully driverless commercial robotaxi services to the vibrant city centers of Shenzhen will accelerate public adoption, as well as inspire confidence and trust in fully driverless technology as we deploy its application to daily urban use cases."

Residents in authorized zones can book rides via Pony.ai's app or WeChat mini-program. Operating daily from 7:30 AM to 10:00 PM, the service provides a reliable, weather-resistant commute option, positioning itself as an "all-weather mobility assistant."

Through relentless technological innovation and real-world validation, Pony.ai is driving the transition toward a future where autonomous vehicles are integral to everyday life.

"As one of the few companies globally with fully driverless autonomous driving solutions, we remain firmly focused on scaling our robotaxi operations and guiding the industry into its next phase of development," said James Peng.

Media Contact: media@pony.ai

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SOURCE Pony.ai

FAQ

What areas does PONY's new robotaxi service cover in Shenzhen?

PONY's service covers Nanshan District (including Qianhai, Houhai, and Shenzhen Bay areas) and Baoan District, connecting tech hubs with the airport and central areas.

What are the operating hours for PONY's driverless robotaxi service in Shenzhen?

The service operates daily from 7:30 AM to 10:00 PM.

How many kilometers has PONY accumulated in autonomous testing?

Pony.ai has accumulated 45 million kilometers in autonomous testing, including 5 million kilometers in driverless mode.

What is the average number of daily paid rides for PONY's robotaxis in Beijing and Guangzhou?

PONY's fully-driverless robotaxis averaged over 15 daily paid rides per vehicle in the first six months of 2024.

How can customers book PONY's robotaxi service in Shenzhen?

Residents can book rides through Pony.ai's app or WeChat mini-program in authorized zones.