Overview
- Pony.ai said its seventh-generation Robotaxi fleet entered local commercial operation in November in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, following an April debut and June road tests, with a stated goal of reaching 1,000 vehicles by the end of 2025.
- The company specifies 100% automotive‑grade components, a 600,000‑kilometer design life, and a 34‑sensor suite including nine lidars, 14 cameras, and four millimeter‑wave radars with detection reaching about 650 meters.
- Pony.ai claims a roughly 70% reduction in the autonomous‑system cost versus the prior generation and describes L4 capability running on a vehicle‑grade SoC.
- Passenger features include Bluetooth‑based identity unlock, a customizable front LED welcome display, in‑app cabin preconditioning, voice‑initiated trip start, and an SOS button, with ride comfort targeted via in‑house world model and “virtual driver” software.
- XPeng teased its first Robotaxi ahead of a November 5 reveal in Guangzhou, indicating a P7+‑based prototype and outlining plans for a 2026 launch, while third‑party reports suggest—but do not confirm—a potential partnership with Amap.