Pony.ai CEO Predicts Robotaxis Will Become Widespread Within Five Years

Robotaxis could become a common sight on streets around the world within five years, Pony.ai founder and CEO James Peng said at the Fortune Leaders Forum in Macau .

Pony.ai CEO James Peng says robotaxis could become commonplace worldwide within five years as the company expands its autonomous-driving operations. [Photo: Business Wire]

“I think the technology problem is pretty much already solved,” Peng said, according to Fortune. “You’ll be able to hail a robotaxi just like a normal taxi.”

While Waymo dominates the US robotaxi market, Chinese autonomous-driving companies such as Pony.ai are expanding their operations in China and overseas.

Founded in 2016, Pony.ai operates commercial robotaxi services in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Shanghai. The company says its riders come from a broad range of age groups and professions, suggesting that autonomous taxis are moving beyond being a novelty for technology enthusiasts.

Pony.ai is also expanding internationally.

In August, the company announced an expanded partnership with Uber to deploy more than 2,000 robotaxis across Europe, building on their commercial service in Zagreb, Croatia.

Pony.ai also has an agreement with South Korean company FutureLink to bring 200 robotaxis to South Korea, with commercial service in Seoul targeted for around 2028, subject to regulatory approval and certification.

Peng said the company looks for markets where taxi fares are relatively expensive and regulations are favorable to autonomous vehicles.

Other Chinese robotaxi companies, including WeRide and Baidu, are also expanding internationally.