Pony.ai, Jin Jiang Transport to jointly deploy autonomous taxi service in Shanghai

Beijing (Gasgoo)- Chinese autonomous driving solution provider Pony.ai and Jin Jiang Transport, which is owned by Shanghai-based Jin Jiang International (Holdings) Co., Ltd., announced a collaboration on May 30 to explore a new business model that leverages autonomous driving technology for traditional taxi services in Shanghai. 

Photo credit: Pony.ai

The partners aim to contribute to the innovative development of the traditional transportation industry. Pony.ai and Jin Jiang Transport jointly obtained the intelligent connected vehicle (ICV) demonstration operation notice and demonstration operation license from the Shanghai municipal government, officially commencing intelligent taxi demonstration operations.

Shanghai recently entered the phase of ICV demonstration operations, encouraging transportation companies to actively participate in the development of intelligent mobility services. 

Based on this collaboration and the granted licenses, Pony.ai will provide the joint service with autonomous driving technology solution, while Jin Jiang Transport will handle daily operations. Within the 1,076-kilometer open test road area in Shanghai’s Jiading District, the duo will launch a quasi-commercial Robotaxi service with autonomous vehicles.

Currently, the joint service is permitted to operate in over 220 autonomous driving stations within the area, covering commercial plazas, landmark hotels, residential communities, office buildings, sports centers, and exhibition centers, with plans for future expansion. 

Since establishing its Shanghai R&D center in July 2020, Pony.ai has swiftly deployed autonomous driving technology and services in the city, leveraging its generalization capabilities through "virtual driver" technology to adapt to the local driving behaviors and road conditions.