Gasgoo Munich- On Jan 28, autonomous driving company Pony.ai announced a strategic partnership with mobility service provider ATBB to jointly develop a fully driverless ride-hailing fleet, accelerating the deployment of autonomous technology across urban mobility and aviation-related travel scenarios, according to a post on Pony.ai's WeChat account.
Image source: Pony.ai
The collaboration marks a notable expansion of AI-powered mobility services into the premium segment, aiming to deliver a smarter and more refined travel experience for passengers.
The partnership offers a new model that blends advanced autonomous technology with high-end mobility services, adding fresh momentum to the commercialization of Level 4 self-driving solutions. Pony.ai has already established driverless fleets and operational networks in major Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, steadily translating cutting-edge technology into everyday mobility. ATBB, meanwhile, brings extensive experience and premium service capabilities through luxury mobility brands including Xinghui Mobility, with a strong footprint in aviation-related and business travel markets.
The two companies are jointly building a fully driverless fleet based on Pony.ai's Gen-7 Robotaxi model, targeting high-frequency travel needs such as urban trips and transfers between city centers, airports and major railway stations. The initial batch of vehicles has already secured multiple regulatory approvals, including permits for Level 4 driverless testing and pilot operations, allowing the fleet to provide public ride-hailing services in tier-one cities.
From an operational perspective, the partnership strengthens Pony.ai's urban commercialization efforts by expanding fleet capacity and improving network coverage. This is expected to enhance service availability, reduce passenger wait times, and support a wider range of use cases, including daily commuting, leisure travel and airport transfers. The initial vehicles will be integrated into Pony.ai's proprietary ride-hailing platform as well as selected third-party platforms.
The collaboration places particular emphasis on premium business and aviation travel, with airport transfers as a core scenario. In addition to operating joint Robotaxi fleets, Pony.ai's self-operated vehicles will be fully connected to ATBB's Xinghui Mobility platform, forming an integrated loop that links orders, vehicle capacity and service delivery. The goal is to offer air travelers a seamless, zero-wait, technology-driven mobility experience.
Since launching autonomous shuttle trials at Beijing Daxing International Airport in 2023, Pony.ai has steadily expanded its Robotaxi services to major transportation hubs, including Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Guangzhou South Railway Station and Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport, reinforcing the role of autonomous driving in enhancing efficiency and convenience across urban mobility networks.
