Toyota and Pony Collaborate to Establish Robotaxi Joint Venture in China
Toyota, the renowned Japanese auto giant, is teaming up with Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving startup, to make a significant investment of over RMB 1 billion in establishing a joint venture. The primary focus of this collaboration is to launch robotaxi cars based on Toyota’s all-electric vehicles in China.
The agreement was signed between Toyota, Pony.ai, and GAC-Toyota, with the intention of setting up the joint venture within the year, as per the latest press release.
The joint venture’s main objective is to deploy robotaxi vehicles, utilizing Toyota-branded all-electric vehicles manufactured by GAC-Toyota. These robotaxis will incorporate Toyota’s T-Pilot driver-assistance system, equipped with the PCS (Pre-Collision Safety System) feature.
Leveraging Toyota’s TPS (Toyota Production System) and GAC-Toyota’s dealership network, the joint venture aims to advance Pony.ai’s fully unmanned autonomous driving technology.
Toyota and Pony.ai initiated a strategic partnership in 2019 to jointly promote high-level autonomous vehicle development for mobile mobility services in the Chinese market.
Pony.ai’s platform has already deployed around 200 robotaxis in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai, with models inspired by the Lexus RX450h and Toyota Sienna. Pony.ai has secured licenses for fully unmanned autonomous driving trials in Beijing and Guangzhou.
Apart from accelerating the commercial application of advanced autonomous driving technology, Toyota is also exploring the mass production of robotaxi vehicles through this joint venture.
Pony.ai, established in late 2016, operates research and development centers in Silicon Valley, Guangzhou, Beijing, and Shanghai, and has successfully launched robotaxi services.
Nio Capital, among others, has previously invested in Pony.ai during fundraising rounds, showcasing the growing interest in the startup’s potential. Toyota, for instance, invested $400 million in the company in February 2020.
With various licenses acquired in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, Pony.ai has been steadily expanding its unmanned robotaxi services within designated areas.
The collaboration between Toyota and Pony.ai aims to bring cutting-edge autonomous driving technology to the Chinese market and shape the future of robotaxi services.