NASDAQ-LISTED CHINESE SELF-DRIVING company, Pony AI, is planning a major expansion into the Middle East, with ambitious plans to increase its fleet of robotaxis over the next three years. The company announced plans to launch 1000 units in the Middle East by 2028. Pony AI has secured a permit to operate robotaxis in Dubai, opening the way to road testing in designated areas of the city.

Pony AI has already partnered with Uber in Dubai and with transport company Mowosalat in Doha. It’s not the only player. Another Chinese company, Baidu, has received 50 testing licences for robotaxis in Dubai, and WeRide has also entered a partnership with Uber.

The rapid increase in robotaxis and the strides in technology development mean the industry is nearing what the analysts call “an inflection point”, after which each new vehicle added to fleets improves the operator’s profitability.

By the late 2030s, the global robotaxi fleet, excluding the US, could be as high as 6 million vehicles. They also predict the potential market (even excluding both China and the US) as being worth about $US212 billion ($A324bn).

Dubai intends for autonomous vehicles to account for 25% of all transportation trips across the city by 2030.

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