Pony.ai (小马智行) and Uber (优步) said on October 8 that they plan to begin testing Pony.ai’s seventh-generation (Gen-7) robotaxis on London streets in the coming weeks. The announcement extends their European partnership, but sets out a testing plan rather than a launch date for passenger service.
The companies have not said when London riders might be able to book the vehicles. Their announcement follows an August expansion plan targeting more than 2,000 robotaxis across five European cities; the companies have not yet identified all the cities or set a timetable for the full deployment.
Zagreb offers an early example of how the partnership works. Pony.ai supplies the autonomous-driving technology, while local operator Verne owns and operates the fleet and Uber provides access through its ride-hailing app. Riders began booking Pony.ai-powered vehicles through Uber in August, initially with safety drivers onboard. In September, Pony.ai and Verne began fully driverless test rides for invited passengers—a separate step from the commercial rides available through the app.
The arrangement divides the work among a technology provider, a local fleet operator and a global passenger platform. For Pony.ai, partnering with established operators and platforms offers a route into overseas markets without building every part of the service itself. The London tests will show how its technology performs on local roads, but regulatory approval and any passenger-service rollout remain ahead.
The move reflects a broader shift in Chinese autonomous-vehicle expansion: companies are taking their driving systems abroad through partnerships that combine local operations with established customer networks. London adds a high-profile test market to Pony.ai’s European push. Whether the approach can progress from road testing to passenger service will depend on performance, local operating arrangements and regulatory clearance.
Contact Us：
Xingyiran@iyiou.com
