Uber and Pony.ai are further extending their cooperation from the Middle East to Europe. The two sides plan to drop 2,000 auto-driving taxis in four cities in Europe, showing that both companies are accelerating their fight for the Robotaxi market at the start-up stage.
Division of labour for cooperation
Uber will provide an Internet-based platform and Pony.ai will be responsible for auto-driving technology. According to both sides, maintenance, cleaning and charging of vehicles could be performed by local service providers.
Landing
The convoy ownership of the Robotaxi shipment in different markets may be held by different partners. The parties wish to use this model to lower the operational threshold for entering new markets.
Push the rhythm.
Over the past few years, Uber has worked with over 30 self-pilot companies. Pony.ai, for its part, has operated in four cities in China and has established cooperation with local transport agencies to facilitate access to European and Middle Eastern markets. Both parties also announced earlier this year plans to launch commercial Robotaxi services in Zagreb with the Croatian company Verne.