Uber and Chinese autonomous driving company Pony.ai are preparing to introduce more than 2,000 robotaxis in four European cities through an expanded partnership. The move signals a new phase in the race to scale autonomous ride-hailing across major markets.
Under the agreement, Pony.ai will provide the self-driving technology, while Uber will integrate the service into its ride-hailing network. The companies said the rollout will follow a phased approach, with city names and launch timing to be announced later.
The partnership is designed around a joint-deployment model that separates core responsibilities. Local operators may handle fleet management tasks such as maintenance, cleaning, and charging, while ownership of the vehicles can vary by market. This structure is intended to make large-scale deployment more flexible and commercially efficient.
Uber has already built partnerships with more than 30 autonomous vehicle companies, and Pony.ai continues to expand beyond China, where it operates in four cities. The two companies first joined forces in 2025, initially focusing on the Middle East before widening their ambitions to Europe. Earlier this year, they also outlined plans for a commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb with local partner Verne.
As autonomous mobility moves closer to everyday use, collaborations like this may help shape a more connected and adaptable urban transport future.
