On July 26, during the 8th World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, Pony.ai, a leading Chinese autonomous driving technology company, announced it had received the first batch of intelligent connected vehicle demonstration operation licenses. This milestone builds on its earlier achievement in July 2024, when it secured demonstration application licenses in Shanghai’s Pudong New Area, reinforcing its leadership in autonomous mobility across Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.

The expansion of autonomous driving testing roads in Pudong New Area has increased Shanghai’s open testing network to over 2,700 kilometers, covering parts of the city center within the inner ring. Pony.ai, in collaboration with Jin Jiang Transport, a subsidiary of Jin Jiang International, has begun offering autonomous driving services in the Jinqiao and Huamu districts of Pudong. Residents in Jinqiao can now book a Robotaxi via the Pony.ai app, WeChat, or Alipay Mini Programs, making autonomous travel accessible with a single click.

From July 26 to July 29, during WAIC 2025, Pony.ai provided Robotaxi services around the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center, serving key locations like the China Art Palace. This initiative allowed the public to experience the convenience and innovation of autonomous mobility firsthand. At the event, Pony.ai showcased its seventh-generation Robotaxi, the BAIC ARCFOX Alpha T5, highlighting advancements in its technology.

Pony.ai’s CEO, James Peng, emphasized the significance of the licenses, stating: “This achievement demonstrates not only increasing regulatory trust and recognition in the Company’s technology and safety standards, but also represents another major milestone in advancing Robotaxi commercialization in a top-tier urban market in China.” The licenses enable fare-based services without safety drivers, supported by remote safety officers, marking a new phase in Shanghai’s smart mobility landscape.

Shanghai has steadily advanced its smart connected vehicle sector through progressive policies and robust regulatory frameworks. Since 2023, Pony.ai has been a pioneer in this ecosystem, starting with a partnership with Jin Jiang Transport in Jiading District for intelligent taxi operations. In July 2023, it secured initial road testing permits in Pudong, followed by demonstration licenses in 2024. In April 2025, at Auto Shanghai, Pony.ai unveiled its seventh-generation autonomous driving system in collaboration with Toyota, BAIC, and GAC, achieving a 70% cost reduction in autonomous driving kits and over 500,000 hours of safe operation, further solidifying its role in scalable, reliable autonomous mobility solutions.