Chinese self-driving startup Pony AI has announced plans to expand its robotaxi services to Hong Kong, following the lead of Baidu, a dominant player in the market, as both companies look to broaden their reach beyond mainland China.
In a recent WeChat post, Pony AI revealed that it intends to offer robotaxi services to employees commuting at Hong Kong International Airport. The company expressed hopes that this move will help establish a strong foothold in the city and pave the way for further growth across the financial hub.
Although Pony AI did not specify a timeline for its entry into Hong Kong, the move follows Baidu’s success in securing a license in November to begin trial runs of its Apollo robotaxi service in the city.
Currently, Pony AI’s self-driving taxis, developed in collaboration with Toyota and other partners, operate in several major Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. The company has also started charging passengers for rides at Beijing Daxing International Airport. Additionally, test runs have taken place on the expressway connecting to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.
Pony AI’s announcement comes on the back of a successful fundraising effort, having raised over $400 million through an initial public offering (IPO) and private placement in New York last November. This follows a similar success by rival WeRide, which secured more than $440 million during its own IPO and private placement.