Pony.ai Granted Dubai Permit to Launch Robotaxi Trials
- Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has approved Pony.ai to begin autonomous vehicle testing on public roads.
- Commercial robotaxi services without drivers are expected to launch in 2026 as part of a broader regional rollout.
Pony.ai has been authorized by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to conduct autonomous driving trials on public roads. The permit allows the company to start pilot testing in specific areas of the city. Pony.ai plans to launch commercial robotaxi services in Dubai in 2026, with broader Middle East expansion to follow.
The trials are part of an ongoing partnership between Pony.ai and the RTA, first announced in May 2025. After unveiling a robotaxi in July, Pony.ai and the RTA began working together to develop and deploy fully autonomous ride-hailing services designed for Dubai’s road and transport systems.
Pony.ai is scaling globally. It recently partnered with ComfortDelGro to deploy autonomous vehicles in Singapore and with Mowasalat "Karwa" to introduce self-driving technology in Qatar. Pony.ai is also working with Uber to integrate its robotaxis into the app, with initial deployments expected in the Middle East. Additional testing is underway in Luxembourg with Emile Weber, along with 24/7 operations in Seoul’s Gangnam district. The company operates a 500-vehicle fleet across major Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.
🌀 Tom’s Take:
Pony.ai is pushing hard to build a global footprint for its robotaxis through active partnerships and deployments around the world.
Source: PR Newswire / Pony.ai
