Uber Technologies Inc. and Chinese autonomous vehicle company Pony.ai have announced a strategic partnership to deploy self-driving robotaxis in the Middle East later this year. This collaboration marks Uber’s latest move to expand its autonomous vehicle offerings globally.
The initial rollout will occur in a key Middle Eastern market, though the specific country has not been disclosed. During the pilot phase, Pony.ai’s autonomous vehicles will operate with onboard safety operators. The companies plan to transition to fully autonomous operations in the commercial phase.
Pony.ai, founded in 2016 and backed by Toyota, currently holds robotaxi licenses in several Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. The company is actively pursuing international expansion, with plans to enter markets such as South Korea, Luxembourg, and Hong Kong.
This partnership is part of Uber’s broader strategy to strengthen its presence in the autonomous mobility sector. In recent weeks, Uber has announced collaborations with other self-driving technology firms, including May Mobility, Momenta, and WeRide. These partnerships aim to enhance Uber’s competitive edge in the evolving robotaxi market.
