The first Pony.ai bZ4X robotaxi, developed in partnership with Toyota, has just rolled off the production line and ready to deploy. This will be the first of many, if the companies stick to their plan, which is to produce more than 1,000 bZ4X robotaxis this year. The bZ4X is one of three autonomous vehicle models that Pony.ai intends to use for commercial service in Tier 1 cities in China, including Beijing and Shanghai. The other two vehicles are already used by Pony.ai’s ride-hailing service, while the bZ4X robotaxis will be gradually integrated into its fleet. Pony.ai’s goal is to power 3,000 cars by the end of 2026.

Toyota introduced the new bZ4X last year, and non-autonomous versions are available for public purchase. The Pony.ai version is equipped with the company’s Gen-7 autonomous driving system, which features Bluetooth-based automatic vehicle unlocking and in-cabin voice interaction. It also comes with online music services and braking patterns that help reduce the motion sickness of passengers. Pony.ai was founded in 2016 and has been testing and operating self-driving cars ever since. it received permission from Beijing to offer self-driving car services to the public in 2022. While it is a Chinese company, it is headquartered in Silicon Valley and filed for an IPO in the US by 2024.