Pony.ai partners with Dubai's RTA to deploy robotaxis, supporting the city's 2030 goal to make 25% of all transport autonomous through advanced AI mobility.
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| With a multi-phase rollout beginning in 2025, Pony.ai and Dubai’s RTA aim to transform urban mobility by deploying autonomous robotaxis across the city. Image: Pony AI |
Dubai, UAE — May 26, 2025:
Pony.ai has officially entered into a strategic partnership with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to deploy its cutting-edge autonomous robotaxi fleet in the Middle Eastern metropolis, marking a significant advancement in Dubai’s Self-Driving Transport Strategy. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was announced on Monday, signaling the start of a multi-phase rollout that aligns with Dubai’s goal to automate 25% of all transportation by 2030.
Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency, remarked, “This partnership with Pony.ai is a key milestone as we drive toward a smarter, more sustainable Dubai. Pony.ai’s expertise and innovation will help us integrate autonomous technology into our transport system and reinforce our position as a global leader in intelligent mobility.”
Dr. Leo Wang, CFO of Pony.ai, added, “Dubai is paving the way for smart urban transport, and we are proud to contribute to this transformation. With our proven technology and global operational experience, Pony.ai will help accelerate Dubai’s transition to fully autonomous mobility.”
Initial supervised trials of the robotaxis are set to begin in late 2025, with fully driverless operations launching in 2026. These deployments will serve as the foundation for Pony.ai’s broader ambitions in the Middle East and contribute to the city’s Smart Dubai 2030 Vision.
Pony.ai’s seventh-generation autonomous system, unveiled at Auto Shanghai 2025, features a 70% reduction in bill-of-materials (BOM) cost while delivering automotive-grade performance. The system’s sensor-rich platform is optimized for both high-speed highways and complex urban environments, making it well-suited to Dubai’s busy business, financial, and residential zones.
To support this rollout, Pony.ai is partnering with major OEMs like Toyota, GAC Motor, and BAIC Motor to mass-produce its robotaxis starting in the second half of 2025. These vehicles debuted earlier this year in Shanghai, demonstrating reliable performance across varied conditions.
In China, Pony.ai has already achieved commercial success with fully driverless ride-hailing operations in major cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, managing a fleet of 300+ vehicles that serve locations from railway stations to airports. Now, that operational expertise is coming to Dubai.
“We’ve learned a great deal from our large-scale deployments in China,” said Wang. “Dubai’s tech-forward vision and infrastructure make it an ideal next step. Our goal is to provide residents and visitors with a transport option that is safer, greener, and more convenient.”
The long-term vision includes integrating robotaxis with Dubai’s multimodal network — including metro, tram, bus, and water transport — creating seamless, low-emission travel across the city.
Pony.ai’s expansion into Dubai follows regulatory clearances for robotaxi testing in the U.S., China, South Korea, and Luxembourg, underscoring the company’s global ambition to lead in autonomous mobility solutions. This partnership represents a milestone in Pony.ai’s Middle East growth strategy and a bold step toward redefining urban transportation on a global scale.