A self-driving taxi operated by Chinese tech firm Pony.ai caught fire in Beijing last week, prompting local authorities to suspend the company’s autonomous vehicle testing and ride services in the area. No injuries were reported.
As of this week, the Pony.ai app no longer offers Robotaxi booking options in Beijing. Sources close to the matter confirmed that the suspension was ordered by regulators, though no official timeline has been set for a potential restart.
The incident marks a significant setback for the autonomous driving startup, which has already faced regulatory hurdles abroad. In the United States, Pony.ai’s testing licence was previously revoked over safety concerns.
The Beijing fire has reignited debate over the safety of autonomous vehicle technology, particularly as companies race toward commercial deployment. While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, industry analysts say it could lead to stricter oversight and slower rollout timelines.
Pony.ai has yet to release a public statement regarding the fire or the service suspension. Local authorities have also not issued formal comments.
