Chinese robotaxi company Pony.ai to work with Stellantis on Europe expansion

Pony.ai, the Chinese robotaxi innovator, has revealed plans to collaborate with automotive giant Stellantis to roll out self-driving taxi tests across Europe. Announced on Friday, this partnership aims to kick off testing in Luxembourg, which serves as the headquarters for Pony.ai's European operations, in the upcoming months. The ambitious project will see the gradual introduction of autonomous vehicles in various European cities starting next year. Pony.ai will supply the autonomous driving technology, while Stellantis, known for its diverse brand portfolio including Chrysler, Citroën, and Jeep, will provide the electric vehicles, initially featuring the Peugeot e-Traveller. To ensure a successful launch, the deployment of robotaxis will first involve localized testing on public roads to establish a solid safety record necessary for regulatory approval. Ned Curic, Stellantis' Chief Engineering and Technology Officer, praised Pony.ai for its technical prowess and collaborative spirit, emphasizing their commitment to pairing with top industry players for the development of autonomous driving systems. While major cities in the U.S. and China have been at the forefront of permitting public robotaxi services, both companies are now intensifying their expansion efforts into Europe and the Middle East. Just recently, Waymo, another prominent U.S. robotaxi operator owned by Alphabet, announced its intention to commence testing in London with plans to launch its self-driving taxi service there next year. As Pony.ai and its competitor WeRide prepare for a dual listing in Hong Kong, they have also secured regulatory approval in China for their stock offerings.