Pony.ai And BAIC BJEV Join Forces On Robotaxi Development To Scale Autonomous Mobility Across Global Markets

Autonomous driving pioneer Pony.ai has deepened its collaboration with BAIC BJEV, the electric vehicle subsidiary of BAIC Group, to jointly accelerate the commercialization of robotaxi services worldwide. This strengthened partnership marks a significant milestone in bringing Level 4 autonomous driving from limited pilot deployments into sustainable, large-scale commercial operations.

Co-Engineering Purpose-Built Robotaxi Platforms

The two companies will co-develop customized robotaxi models designed from the ground up for autonomous operation. Rather than retrofitting existing vehicles, the joint effort focuses on redesigning vehicle architectures and interior systems specifically optimized for driverless passenger transport and enhanced rider experience. This purpose-built approach establishes the technical and operational foundation needed to scale robotaxi fleets efficiently.

Leveraging Manufacturing Expertise For Cost Efficiency

By combining Pony.ai’s autonomous driving technology with BAIC BJEV’s position as one of China’s leading EV manufacturers, the partnership gains access to mature, OEM-grade supply chains. This integration is expected to significantly reduce the bill of materials (BOM) and operational costs of robotaxi vehicles—a critical factor for achieving profitable commercial deployment at scale. The collaboration will also enhance vehicle performance, streamline maintenance workflows, and optimize lifecycle management across fleets.

Expanding The Robotaxi Ecosystem

Beyond hardware development, the two partners plan to coordinate across the entire autonomous mobility value chain. This includes joint efforts in user acquisition, fleet operations management, and vehicle servicing infrastructure. Such vertical integration aims to create a complete commercial ecosystem supporting sustainable robotaxi services.

Global Market Rollout Strategy

Leveraging Pony.ai’s operational presence across eight countries—including Luxembourg, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and South Korea—the partnership will introduce the jointly developed Arcfox Alpha T5 robotaxi to priority markets in Europe and the Middle East. This geographic expansion positions both companies to capture emerging opportunities in international autonomous mobility markets while applying localized expertise tailored to regional requirements.