Pony.ai Launches 24/7 Robotaxi Operations in Major Chinese Cities

Pony.ai, a prominent player in the realm of autonomous vehicle technology, has recently taken a monumental leap forward by initiating 24/7 Robotaxi services in the bustling cities of Guangzhou and Shenzhen, located in southern China. This strategic development expands the company's operational hours from the previous 15 hours a day to full-time, round-the-clock availability, thereby enhancing accessibility for urban commuters.

This groundbreaking initiative is backed by Pony.ai’s extensive experience, having conducted over 50 million kilometers of autonomous driving tests worldwide. The data amassed during these trials incorporate various driving scenarios, including heavy traffic and dark late-night conditions, which have collectively confirmed the system's effectiveness and reliability in real-world environments.

Pony.ai’s proprietary technology boasts a sophisticated autonomous driving system known as the “virtual driver.” This system has recorded an impressive 500,000 hours of driverless operation and has achieved an exceptional safety record, reportedly up to ten times safer than human-operated vehicles. Such metrics are a testament to the thorough validation and continuous improvement of Pony.ai’s driving systems, particularly in response to the complexities presented by different road and weather conditions.

At the core of Pony.ai's innovative sensing and perception capabilities is a unique architecture that fuses multiple sensor technologies. This includes high-performance 128-beam LiDAR, 8-megapixel cameras, and 4D imaging millimeter-wave radar. Together, these provide comprehensive 360-degree situational awareness, even during low-light scenarios or nighttime operation. This redundancy allows for improved detection of challenging-to-see objects like pedestrians dressed in dark clothing, effectively minimizing risks caused by headlight glare and facilitating navigability in poorly illuminated areas.

The advanced autonomous driving software stack is built upon the “PonyWorld foundation model and virtual driver” architecture, implemented in Pony.ai’s seventh-generation Robotaxi fleet. This technology guarantees detailed and accurate detection of road elements ranging from signage to moving vehicles, and even pedestrians, up to an impressive distance of 650 meters. Furthermore, these Robotaxis are equipped with a specialized sensor self-cleaning mechanism, which helps maintain performance under adverse weather conditions, such as rain or fog, as well as from road debris accumulation.

As Pony.ai continues to scale its fleet across key cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, it aims to revolutionize urban transportation. The shift to 24/7 service is a significant marker of its dedication to promoting the commercial viability of Robotaxi services while enhancing nighttime mobility options. This initiative promises to set new benchmarks in safety, availability, and convenience for late-night travelers.

Indeed, as cities become quieter after dark, the emergence of reliable and safe Robotaxis offers urban commuters an innovative transportation alternative—fully operational, dependable, and always ready for service. Pony.ai seeks not only to advance technology but also to improve the quality of urban life through smarter and safer transport solutions. The company's commitment to continually evolving urban mobility systems illustrates a roadmap for cities to adapt to the increasing demands for efficient and safe travel methods in the coming years.