Gasgoo Munich- Pony.ai has begun delivering a new batch of Robotaxis equipped with its seventh-generation autonomous driving system to ONTIME, a mobility technology and service platform backed by GAC Group.
Image source: Pony.ai
Taking place on March 19, the first delivery, comprising more than 100 vehicles based on the 2nd-gen AION V model, has already been integrated into ONTIME's ride-hailing network and is gradually entering commercial operation. The two companies also announced plans to deepen their partnership, aiming to expand fleet size and accelerate large-scale deployment.
The rollout marks a significant step toward large-scale commercialization of Robotaxi services, highlighting a replicable model that combines technology development with operational execution.
Under the updated framework, Pony.ai will focus on advancing its core “virtual driver” technology and monetizing it through usage-based fees, while ONTIME will take responsibility for fleet ownership, safety management, dispatching, and platform operations. The division of roles is designed to create a scalable and efficient Robotaxi ecosystem.
Pony.ai's Gen-7 Robotaxi platform is positioned as a more commercially viable solution, balancing safety with improved cost efficiency and user experience—two factors seen as critical to driving broader consumer adoption.
Built with automotive-grade components, the new model is designed for a service life of up to 600,000 kilometers, while the cost of its autonomous driving system has been reduced by roughly 70% compared with the previous generation.
Passenger-facing upgrades include Bluetooth unlocking, voice interaction, in-car entertainment, and pre-trip climate control, alongside smoother acceleration and braking to improve ride comfort. The platform has already achieved positive unit economics in pilot operations in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, pointing to improving commercial viability.
The partnership builds on several years of collaboration. Since 2022, Pony.ai and ONTIME have jointly operated Robotaxi services in Guangzhou, accumulating experience in real-world deployment.
Earlier, a customized Robotaxi based on the AION LX Plus—featuring Pony.ai's sixth-generation autonomous stack—received regulatory approval for mixed traffic operations in the city. The two companies have since expanded their presence across multiple cities in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area.
The upgraded alliance signals more than a deepening partnership—it reflects a broader shift within the autonomous driving sector from technical validation toward scaled commercial operations.
As Robotaxi deployments grow in size and sophistication, collaborations like this underscore rising confidence in the long-term viability of autonomous mobility and the industry's transition toward sustainable, large-scale business models.
