Pony.ai’s 6th-gen Robotaxi permitted to offer rides with remote monitoring in Guangzhou

Beijing (Gasgoo)- The Toyota Sienna Autono-Maas (S-AM) Robotaxi, equipped with Pony.ai's sixth-generation autonomous driving software and hardware system, has secured permission to transport passengers with remote monitoring feature in Guangzhou. 

Photo credit: Pony.ai

This approval allows Pony.ai to offer Robotaxi service in Nansha district, covering an area of 803 square kilometers. Citizens can experience this futuristic mode of transport through Pony.ai's mobility app, PonyPilot+.

Following the previous permit granted in April for Pony.ai's fifth-generation autonomous driving system vehicles, the new generation has gained this distinctive permit, emphasizing Guangzhou's stringent safety and reliability standards for autonomous driving systems. Real-time data monitoring has enabled a quantified evaluation of the effectiveness and capabilities of these road tests.

The sixth-generation system is built upon the foundation of its predecessor's multi-sensor fusion strategy and introduces a cost-effective automotive-grade solid-state LiDAR. Its hardware features Pony.ai's self-developed automotive-grade domain controller, equipped with a redundant software system ensuring safe autonomous operations during system degradation. Moreover, Toyota has implemented redundancy designs for steering, braking, parking control systems, power, and communication systems, ensuring the primary system's reliability.

Additionally, plans are underway to introduce Pony.ai's seventh-generation autonomous driving system in the Robotaxi prototype based on Toyota's all-electric model, BZ4X.

Since April 2023, Toyota's S-AM vehicles equipped with Pony.ai's sixth-generation autonomous driving system have been conducting public road tests in Beijing and Guangzhou, accumulating over 1 million kilometers of driving experience. As of October 2023, Pony.ai has amassed over 26 million kilometers of public road autonomous driving distance.