Pony.ai And Tencent Partner On L4 Robotaxis, Expand China's Self-Driving Future

Chinese autonomous driving company Pony AI Inc PONY on Friday shared plans to develop autonomous driving technology in partnership with Tencent Holding TCEHY Tencent Cloud and deploy robotaxi services on Tencent’s WeChat and other applications.

The deal will include cooperation in cloud services, map data, information security, and intelligent cockpit ecosystems, CNBC reported Friday, citing the company press release.

The companies will also integrate Pony.ai’s robotaxi ride-hailing services into Tencent’s WeChat app and other applications, such as Tencent Maps.

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Pony.ai CEO James Peng told CNBC on Friday at the Shanghai Auto Show that both companies had been discussing a deal for some time.

Peng also hinted at the possibility of WeChat app users booking Pony.ai robotaxi rides straight through their app.

The companies will also collaborate on developing, testing, and operating Robotaxis, particularly in L4-level autonomous driving. Pony.ai showcased its L4, seventh-generation robotaxi solution on Wednesday at the Shanghai Auto Show.

Separately, Pony.ai announced that Hesai Group’s HSAI lidar will power its new robotaxi fleet.

In April, Pony.ai won approval to begin Level 4 robotaxi testing in Luxembourg with local transit partner Emile Weber.

The company has testing permits in China, the U.S., South Korea and Luxembourg.

In March, Pony.ai launched a paid, fully driverless robotaxis in Shenzhen’s key Nanshan business district. The company expanded commercial operations to connect Nanshan with its existing service zone in Baoan District.

In U.S., Volkswagen VWAGY and Uber Technologies, Inc announced on Thursday a collaboration to deploy an all-electric, fully autonomous ID. Buzz AD vehicles within multiple U.S. markets, starting in Los Angeles over the next decade.

Tesla Inc TSLA tweeted Wednesday that it has started testing its autonomous ride-hail service with Austin and the Bay Area employees ahead of its planned robotaxi launch this summer.

Price Action: PONY stock is down 9.51% to $6.85 at last check Friday.

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