Uber and Pony.ai Plan to Bring 2,000 Robotaxis to Europe
The expanded partnership between the Chinese autonomous vehicle maker and the ride-hailing giant aims to deploy fleets across four European cities.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Uber and Pony.ai plan to deploy 2,000 autonomous vehicles in Europe
- Pony.ai from Guangzhou will supply the autonomous driving technology
- Uber will leverage its massive ride-hailing platform network
- Fleet management and maintenance may be handled by local providers
Chinese autonomous vehicle manufacturer Pony.ai and ride-hailing leader Uber are expanding their partnership with plans to introduce 2,000 robotaxis to four cities across Europe. The announcement highlights the accelerating ambitions of both companies to secure a strong foothold in the emerging robotaxi sector.
Over the past several years, Uber has established partnerships with more than 30 autonomous vehicle developers, including Pony.ai. Meanwhile, Pony.ai has already launched operations in four Chinese cities and secured agreements with local transportation authorities to introduce its robotaxis to various countries in Europe and the Middle East, such as Qatar.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
This strategic alliance allows both firms to capitalize on their core strengths by dividing responsibilities between vehicle technology development and market distribution. Utilizing local partners for fleet management also helps navigate regional operational challenges and regulatory requirements more efficiently.
According to the companies, the Guangzhou-based firm will provide the underlying autonomous driving technology, while Uber will contribute its extensive ride-hailing platform. Fleet management operations—including vehicle maintenance, cleaning, and battery charging—will be delegated to local providers, and the ownership structure of the robotaxi fleet may vary depending on the specific market conditions.
The two companies first joined forces in May 2025, initially concentrating their efforts on the Middle East. Earlier this year, Uber and Pony.ai shifted their focus toward Europe, announcing commercial rollout plans for a robotaxi service in Zagreb, Croatia, in collaboration with local partner Verne.
Source: TechCrunch
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