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Pony AI Update: Robotaxis and Robotruck Services

Table 4: Pony AI Customers and Partners

Key Information Other Information
Pony AI robotaxi service: Operating in China’s four Tier 1 cities Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen
PonyPilot app and some of its 31 Tier 2 cities Future tradeoff vs. OEM and TNC partners
OnTime Mobility: Robotaxi services, 50 AVs with virtual driver
Robotaxis: TNC fleets
operating in two cities Guangzhou and Shenzhenk
Toyota and GTMC JV: Produce robotaxi for China
GAC (investment in OnTime) Co-develop and produce robotaxis
Robotaxis: OEMs
SAIC Motor Co-develop and produce robotaxis
FAW Co-develop and produce robotaxis
Cyantron Logistics (51% ownership) JV with Sinotrans, which owns 49%
Robotrucks: fleets
Sinotrans: Logistics leader; hub-to-hub Use 160 robotrucks via Cyantron
Robotrucks: OEMs Sany: Leading truck manufacturer Co-develop L2++ and L4 trucks
Meituan: Leading delivery service Uses delivery-only AVs
Software/app co-development Cainiao: Leading delivery service Launched by Alibaba
and licensing
Neolix: Goods-only delivery AVs Deployed 2.5K+ AVs in 100 cities
Amap: Map and navigation leader Maps and transit info on PonyPilot
Other suppliers
Alipay: Top global payment platform 1.4B+ global users; founded by Alibaba
Nvidia: Restricted GPU sales in China Using Nvidia Drive Orin
Chip suppliers
AMD: GPU- and CPU-related chips Restrictions on GPUs sold to China
(Source: Pony AI data; Compilation: Egil Juliussen, May 2025)

Robotruck services became the leading segment in 2024, as the miles founded by Alibaba; and Neolix, a startup delivery company that
increased for paid L2+ transport services. Robotruck services will likely uses delivery-only AVs and has deployed more than 2,500 L4 AVs in
remain the largest segment for another year or two. Licensing and 100 cities.
applications were the largest segment but declined in 2024 as several Pony AI uses Amap for maps and transit information as part of its
special projects ended. PonyPilot app. Alipay provides payment services for robotaxi pay-
ments. Alipay has more than 1.4 billion global users and was founded
CUSTOMERS AND PARTNERS to support Alibaba. Nvidia and AMD are the company’s most important
Pony AI has gained a good list of customers and partners, as sum- chip suppliers. Pony AI uses Nvidia’s Drive Orin platform for its AV
marized in Table 4. The table includes both robotaxi and robotruck system at a time when high-performance GPUs are subject to sales
customers. restrictions in China.
The company is investing in all three robotaxi categories. It is
currently operating in the four Tier 1 cities that are leading robo- TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTS
taxi deployment in China and is likely to expand its own robotaxi Table 5 summarizes the technology used by Pony AI, with key products
deployment to show the potential of this new business segment. As included. Pony AI uses AI-based technology including large language
transportation network company (TNC) and OEM partners enter and models (LLMs) for its AV system architecture. It is also using end-to-
expand the robotaxi business, Pony AI will probably limit its own robo- end (E2E) autonomy, the latest approach for implementing AV systems.
taxi business growth, finding it more profitable to be a key software and In E2E autonomy, the AI model integrates all steps from sensors to
technology supplier to the robotaxi industry. driving control. E2E technology simplifies system architecture and
TNCs have high potential in the robotaxi market, as they already enhances overall performance.
know the ride-hailing, taxi, or other mobility business. OnTime is a Pony’s Virtual Driver is a software platform for multiple AV seg-
TNC that is currently using Pony AI robotaxi technology in Guangzhou ments, including robotaxis and robotrucks. It controls all computer
and Shenzhen. platforms and sensors, with specific differences between robotaxis and
Pony AI is working with four OEMs to provide AV technology for robotrucks. Robotrucks need higher sensor capabilities because of the
their car brands. Toyota and Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. (GAC) need for longer-range sensors in high-speed driving. The Virtual Driver
have a JV, GAC Toyota Motor Co. (GTMC), to develop and manufacture can be deployed across multiple vehicle platforms and applications.
robotaxis. SAIC Motor and First Automotive Works (FAW) are among Pony AI plans to leverage its Virtual Driver technology to develop
the big four state-owned Chinese auto manufacturers, and Pony AI is tailored versions to fulfill different needs of OEMs and industry player
working with both companies to develop robotaxis. customers and to monetize other near-term technology licensing
Pony AI has two key robotruck customers: Sinotrans and Chinese opportunities.
truck OEM Sany. Another key logistics partner is the Cyantron JV with PonyPilot is the mobile app for managing robotaxi rides with Pony’s
Sinotrans. The L2+ fleet accounted for more than 53% of Pony’s total robotaxis. It is similar to the ride-hailing applications currently in use.
2024 revenue. PonyWorld is a simulation system that leverages the latest technol-
The software and application segment is an important business, ogy to create an environment that replicates real-world conditions in
and three companies were listed in the 2024 annual report as using both visual detail and dynamic response. The simulation system cre-
Pony AI technology: Meituan, a leading delivery service provider ates driving scenarios and corner cases for AVs to comprehend, adapt,
that uses delivery AVs; Cainiao, another leader in delivery services, and make driving decisions. PonyWorld provides a flexible virtual

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