Pony.ai and Dubai RTA team up to accelerate mobility in Middle East
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed between Pony.AI and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), aiming to deploy its advanced robotaxi in the region. The move is one of the significant steps taken by the department to support Dubai’s Self-driving transport strategy. It also solidifies its stand as a global innovation leader in smart mobility.
Transforming Dubai’s Urban Mobility Landscape
The partnership is a component of the Dubai Smart City Vision for 2030, with the goal to switch to autonomous modes of transportation for 25% of the city's transportation within the next five years.
According to Mr. Ahmed Bahrozyan, the CEO of the Public Transport Agency at RTA, partnership is important. He states that “The collaboration with Pony.ai marks another significant milestone in advancing Dubai's Self-Driving Transport Strategy. This partnership is integral to our goal of transforming 25% of all journeys in the city into autonomous trips by 2030, reinforcing Dubai's position as a global leader in autonomous mobility and innovation. We are excited to work with Pony.ai, a pioneer in autonomous driving technology, to further enhance the integration of smart transport solutions in Dubai.”
The initial trials are set to begin in 2025, and the services will commence by 2026.
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Seventh-Generation Robotaxis Ready for Deployment
Pony. AI is expected to mass-produce its robotaxis in the second half of 2025. The vehicles debuted at Auto Shanghai 2025 and had an autonomous driving kit installed. It was used to cut the prices of bill-of-materials by 70 percent. The automative-grade safety standards were still maintained, and the vehicles were said to be equipped with a high-performance sensor suite, capable of navigating complex environments, including busy business districts and other streets.
The company has made a lot of production partnerships with leading automakers such as Toyota, GAC Motors, and BAIC Motors, to name a few.
A Global Expansion with Local Impact
The entry of Pony AI into the Dubai market is its first-ever Middle Eastern initiative; the company is successful in the markets of China, the US, South Korea, and Luxembourg.
The company's overarching vision is integrating autonomous vehicles into Dubai's multimodal transport network. The transport network includes the metro, tram, and maritime systems. The plan is formulated to reduce emissions and focus on sustainable environmental goals.
