Pony AI, a Chinese company specializing in autonomous vehicles, has teamed up with Uber to introduce 2,000 robotaxis across four European cities as part of a broader collaboration.
This initiative highlights the increasing goals of both firms to secure a position in the emerging robotaxi market. Over the years, Uber has collaborated with over 30 companies in the autonomous vehicle sector, including Pony.ai. On its end, Pony.ai has rolled out services in four cities in China and established alliances with local transport authorities to expand its presence in European and Middle Eastern markets, such as Qatar.
While the two companies have not disclosed specific details regarding the timeline for the launch or the cities involved, they mentioned that further information would be released progressively. The enhanced partnership seems to clarify certain aspects of their operation, particularly Pony.ai’s “joint-deployment model,” which is on course for commercial expansion.
In this arrangement, the Guangzhou-based firm will provide the autonomous driving technology, while Uber will leverage its extensive ride-hailing platform. Local partners are expected to manage the fleet, which includes responsibilities like maintenance, cleaning, and charging, and ownership of the robotaxi fleet may vary depending on the specific market conditions.
Initially, Uber and Pony.ai formed a partnership in May 2025 aimed at the Middle East. More recently, they have shifted their focus to Europe, announcing plans to kick off a commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb, Croatia, with the collaboration of a local firm, Verne.
