Pony.ai gets a permit for fully driverless paid robotaxis in Shanghai's Pudong district

Pony.ai/Gen-7 robotaxi

Pony.ai was among the first to receive a permit for fully driverless paid robotaxis in Shanghai's Pudong New Area in July 2025. The company launched in the Jinqiao and Huamu areas near the Lujiazui financial district and was the only company with fully driverless permits in all four of China's tier-1 cities.

• Permit date: July 26, 2025 at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC 2025).
• Service area: Jinqiao and Huamu near Lujiazui financial district in Pudong; expansion to other regions planned.
• Scale: only company with fully driverless commercial permits in all four tier-1 cities—Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen.