Pony.ai Secures Full Driverless Robotaxi Permit in Shenzhen

Pony.ai stock gained 5% after the Shenzhen Municipal Government approved the company’s application to begin operating fully driverless commercial robotaxis in the city.

The permit allows Pony.ai to run autonomous taxis without safety drivers onboard — a first for the company in one of China’s largest tech hubs.

Major Milestone for Autonomous Mobility

The approval represents a major step toward commercializing autonomous ride-hailing in China.
Pony.ai joins a short list of companies authorized to provide driverless transportation services to the public, signaling increasing confidence in self-driving technology and safety performance.

“This marks a historic leap for our autonomous driving business and reflects Shenzhen’s leadership in enabling intelligent mobility,” Pony.ai said in a statement.

China’s Expanding Robotaxi Market

The move underscores China’s accelerating push toward autonomous mobility, with regional governments including Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou also expanding pilot programs for robotaxi operations.

Industry analysts view the permit as a key validation for Pony.ai’s technology and a potential model for future nationwide deployment.

Key Takeaways

Pony.ai gains +5% after securing driverless robotaxi permit.
Permit enables fully autonomous commercial operations in Shenzhen.
Reflects China’s rapid adoption of AI-powered mobility solutions.
Positions Pony.ai as a front-runner in the country’s driverless transport market.