Pony AI Inc. has entered into a strategic partnership with Beijing ATBB Travel & Express Service Co., Ltd., a premium mobility operator in China, to jointly deploy and operate the company’s seventh‑generation driverless robotaxi vehicles in tier‑1 cities. The asset‑light model gives ATBB fleet investment, service expertise and platform resources, while Pony AI supplies its fully autonomous technology and licensing framework, allowing the two firms to scale operations without the capital burden of owning a large vehicle fleet.
The collaboration targets high‑value routes that link airports and high‑speed rail stations, positioning the robotaxis as a premium, on‑time, privacy‑focused option for frequent travelers. By adding capacity in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing and Shanghai, the partnership is expected to strengthen Pony AI’s commercial foothold in China’s most lucrative markets and support its goal of deploying more than 3,000 robotaxis by the end of 2026.
Pony AI’s recent milestones reinforce the partnership’s significance. The company achieved city‑wide unit‑economics breakeven in Guangzhou with its seventh‑generation robotaxi, and its fleet grew from 1,159 vehicles in 2025 to over 1,100 vehicles in 2026, underscoring a rapid expansion trajectory. The asset‑light partnership with ATBB is designed to accelerate this growth, leveraging ATBB’s established mobility network to reduce capital intensity and improve deployment speed.
Regulatory approvals have paved the way for the partnership. Pony AI has secured permits for driverless operations in Guangzhou and other tier‑1 cities, and the joint fleet will be integrated into Pony AI’s proprietary ride‑hailing platform as well as ATBB’s Xinghui Mobility ecosystem, ensuring seamless service delivery across both companies’ customer bases.
Investors welcomed the partnership, citing accelerated scaling and improved capital efficiency as key drivers of future growth. Management emphasized the strategic fit: Dr. James Peng, founder and CEO of Pony AI, said the collaboration “takes another step forward in bringing autonomous driving into everyday transportation,” while Lixin Shao, chairman of ATBB, noted that the partnership “combines our deep experience in premium mobility services with industry‑leading fully driverless technology.”
The deal positions Pony AI favorably against competitors such as Baidu and Waymo, as the asset‑light model allows the company to deploy a larger fleet more quickly while maintaining operational control over its core technology. This strategic advantage is expected to translate into higher market share in the premium robotaxi segment and stronger long‑term profitability.
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