Pony.ai announced it has received China’s first full-city robotaxi permit in Shenzhen, allowing the company to operate self-driving taxis beyond pilot zones for the first time. The approval marks a breakthrough in China’s effort to integrate autonomous vehicles into daily transportation and urban mobility systems.
The rollout will occur in phases, supported by a partnership with local taxi operator Xihu Group. The companies plan to deploy over 1,000 seventh-generation robotaxis across Shenzhen in the coming years.
Developed in collaboration with Toyota, BAIC, and GAC, Pony.ai’s latest model reportedly cuts material costs by 70% compared with previous generations. The achievement positions Shenzhen – often called China’s Silicon Valley – as the first major city in the country to permit autonomous taxis citywide, signaling growing regulatory confidence in large-scale AI-driven mobility.
