Shenzhen's Nanshan District has granted the city's inaugural permit for paid autonomous ride-hailing services within its city centers.
Nanshan District, Shenzhen's economic powerhouse with a GDP nearing RMB1 trillion in 2024 and close to 2 million residents, surpasses the population of cities like San Francisco. By deploying fully-driverless robotaxis, the growing demand for smart mobility solutions in the district is addressed.
Smart Mobility for Shenzhen's Economic Powerhouse
Shenzhen's dense urban environment, with tunnels, heavy traffic, narrow lanes, and irregular intersections, demands rigorous performance from autonomous technology.
Pony.ai became the first company authorized to operate paid fully-driverless robotaxis in Nanshan. The latest permit of Pony.ai establishes Shenzhen's first cross-district driverless network, linking Nanshan's tech hubs like Qianhai, Houhai, and Shenzhen Bay with Baoan's central areas and critical infrastructure such as Shenzhen Baoan International Airport. This network will allow commuters to enjoy seamless connectivity between business, residential, and transport hubs.
James Peng, CEO of Pony.ai, emphasized, "Expanding our fully driverless commercial robotaxi services to the vibrant city centers of Shenzhen will accelerate public adoption and build trust in fully driverless technology as we deploy its application to daily urban use cases."
Integrating Cutting-Edge Technology into Urban Transportation
China continues to lead in smart mobility innovation, with Shenzhen at the forefront of autonomous ride-hailing advancements. The expansion of fully-driverless services in Nanshan District highlights the city's commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology into urban transportation. As regulatory support and technological advancements align, Shenzhen's model could serve as a blueprint for other global cities aiming to implement autonomous mobility solutions.
Read More:
Volvo Launches Electric Buses in Mexico
EHang’s Pilotless eVTOL Completes Inaugural Flight in Shanghai
Belgium Debuts Remote-Driven Car Rental Service