Pony.ai, a company based in Guangzhou, has announced plans to launch robotaxi services – driverless vehicles for passenger transport – in Hong Kong.
This was reported by the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
According to the publication, Pony.ai expressed its intention to initially open the taxi service for employees of the Hong Kong International Airport, with plans to expand it to the central areas of the city later.
The timeline for the launch of the robotaxi service has not yet been disclosed, but the company is hopeful that it will happen soon.
As noted by SCMP, in 2024, the Chinese company Baidu, known for being the first in the country to initiate work on driverless taxis, also announced its intention to launch such a service in Hong Kong. In November 2024, the Hong Kong Transport Department approved Baidu's application to test 10 autonomous vehicles on Lantau Island, granting the company a license until December 2029.
Background. Earlier, Mind reported that oil prices are rising due to increased production activity in China.