Pony.ai's robotaxi. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Chinese self-driving company Pony.ai announced on Tuesday that it has inked strategic partnerships with the Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, to deploy its advanced robotaxi fleet in the region, as part of its broader push to extend global presence.

The move underscores the company's commitment to advancing autonomous driving technology in one of the world's most dynamic metropolitan hubs and represents a milestone in its expansion in the Middle East.

The collaboration will introduce Pony.ai's autonomous driving technology through a multi-phase rollout. Initial supervised trials are set to launch in 2025, followed by fully driverless operations in 2026.

Leo Wang, CFO of Pony.ai said, "Dubai stands at the forefront of intelligent urban mobility innovation, and we are honored to collaborate with RTA on this transformative initiative. By combining our proven autonomous driving technology and extensive fleet operation experience, we are committed to accelerating Dubai's transition to autonomous transportation".

Pony.ai plans to start mass production and deployment of its seventh-generation robotaxis in the second half of this year, which is expected to lay a robust foundation for the company's global expansion.

It also aims to ramp up its robotaxi fleet globally to thousands of vehicles within the next two years, positioning 2025 as the inaugural year for large-scale commercial deployment. This accelerated timeline is enabled by technological maturity, vehicle engineering, and operational readiness.

"We've built up real expertise in robotaxis from years of operations in China, and now we're bringing that know-how to Dubai. Our goal is to give residents and visitors here driverless tech that's not just greener and safer, but genuinely makes getting around this city easier for everyone," Wang said

Long-term plans include integrating robotaxi services with Dubai's multimodal transport network — encompassing metro, tram, and maritime routes — to create a future where autonomous vehicles complement existing infrastructure, enabling smoother journeys and reducing the city's carbon footprint.

As of now, Pony.ai has secured robotaxi testing permits across four major markets, including the United States, China, South Korea, and Luxembourg. It has offered fully driverless ride-hailing services across Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.