Pony.ai Cuts Self-Driving Stack Cost by 70%, Unveils Seventh-Gen Robotaxi
Chinese autonomous driving startup Pony.ai announced a significant reduction in the cost of its self-driving hardware and software package, slashing expenses by 70 percent. The revelation coincided with the unveiling of its seventh-generation robotaxi at the Shanghai Auto Show on April 23, 2025. CEO James Peng stated that the new vehicles are 20 to 30 percent cheaper than those produced by US rival Waymo, although specific figures were not disclosed. The latest model, built on an AION V platform, utilizes four NVIDIA DRIVE Orin chips and a sensor suite comprising 14 cameras, nine Lidar sensors, and four radar units. Pony.ai emphasized the durability of its automotive-grade components, which are designed to last over 10 years or 600,000 kilometers. The company, backed by Toyota and recently listed on Nasdaq, plans to operate 1,000 robotaxis by the end of 2025 and expand its global fleet to 50,000 vehicles by 2028. Currently, Pony.ai operates over 250 robocars and nearly 200 robotrucks in major Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.
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Pony.ai Cuts Self-Driving Stack Cost by 70%, Unveils Seventh-Gen Robotaxi
Chinese autonomous driving startup Pony.ai announced a significant reduction in the cost of its self-driving hardware and software package, slashing expenses by 70 percent. The revelation coincided with the unveiling of its seventh-generation robotaxi at the Shanghai Auto Show on April 23, 2025. CEO James Peng stated that the new vehicles are 20 to 30 percent cheaper than those produced by US rival Waymo, although specific figures were not disclosed. The latest model, built on an AION V platform, utilizes four NVIDIA DRIVE Orin chips and a sensor suite comprising 14 cameras, nine Lidar sensors, and four radar units. Pony.ai emphasized the durability of its automotive-grade components, which are designed to last over 10 years or 600,000 kilometers. The company, backed by Toyota and recently listed on Nasdaq, plans to operate 1,000 robotaxis by the end of 2025 and expand its global fleet to 50,000 vehicles by 2028. Currently, Pony.ai operates over 250 robocars and nearly 200 robotrucks in major Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.
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