Uber was all like, “Hey, we’re teaming up with another Chinese autonomous vehicle company,” making it their third partnership this week. They’re really gunning for that global domination in the robotaxi game. This time, they’re joining forces with Guangzhou-based Pony AI, which went public on the Nasdaq last year at a whopping $5.25 billion valuation. Together, they’re planning to unleash some robotaxis on the Uber platform in a “key market in the Middle East” by the end of this year.
And get this, the Pony collab comes right after Uber spilled the beans about two other deals with Chinese companies: Momenta and WeRide. They’re planning to launch robotaxis in Europe in 2026 with Momenta, and expand into 15 cities across the Middle East and Europe over the next five years with WeRide. The duo has already kicked off a commercial robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, so they’re really making moves.
Uber is not messing around when it comes to autonomous vehicles. They’ve got over 15 partnerships in the bag, covering ride-hail, delivery, and freight services. Most of their partners are based in the U.S., like Waymo and May Mobility, with a few exceptions like the UK’s Wayve. But now, they’re cozying up to Chinese companies to keep that growth train chugging along.
With companies like Tesla nipping at their heels and federal probes breathing down their necks, Uber is hustling to keep investors happy. Teaming up with Chinese AV firms could be a strategic move. These companies are already making waves internationally, with WeRide running services in Beijing and France, and Pony offering rides in three Chinese cities. So, it looks like Uber is hitching their wagon to some serious global players.
Pony’s partnership with Uber is a game-changer, opening up new opportunities in the Middle East market. Uber has been holding it down in countries like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, especially since they acquired Careem back in 2019. Pony is pumped to scale up their deployment in more international markets down the line, so this collaboration is just the beginning.
When Pony joins the Uber app, customers will have the choice to ride in an AV. During the initial pilot phase, safety operators will be on board until the full commercial launch. Uber’s first-quarter earnings call is around the corner, so we’ll get a peek behind the curtain at their growth plans. They’re even looking to snag a controlling stake in a Turkish food delivery company, so things are heating up for the ride-hail giant.
Rebecca Bellan, a senior reporter at TechCrunch, is all over the Tesla and Elon Musk beat, along with autonomy, AI, gig work platforms, and more. She’s dialed into the tech scene, co-hosting the Equity podcast and dishing out the TechCrunch Daily newsletter. With a background in social media and bylines in big-name publications, Rebecca knows her stuff. Plus, she’s invested in Ethereum, so you know she’s got her finger on the pulse.
