FutureLink announced the deal on Sunday, saying the two companies sealed it two days earlier at the Conrad Seoul hotel in Yeouido, the capital's main financial district. Pony.ai co-founder and Chief Executive James Peng attended the signing alongside FutureLink Chairman Nam Kyung-pil and Chief Executive Cha Doo-won.
The agreement centers on deploying Pony.ai's seventh-generation robotaxis in South Korea as a commercial service.
The partners plan to move from technology trials, run in Seoul's Gangnam autonomous driving pilot zone, into full service operation, and later intend to establish a joint venture.
FutureLink, the autonomous driving subsidiary of KOSDAQ-listed PonyLink, has driven about 80,000 kilometers without an accident in Gangnam using modified Hyundai Kona EVs, localizing Pony.ai's technology for the Korean market.
The company will handle domestic certification, market entry and service operation, while Pony.ai supplies its self-driving technology.
The initial fleet of 200 vehicles will be built by China's BAIC Motor. Once certification is complete, the partners plan to expand the service from Seoul to other major cities.
"Vehicle certification is the first step toward commercialization," Peng said.
"After receiving certification, we plan to put fully driverless robotaxis on Korean roads."
Peng added that Pony.ai also plans to deploy more than 4,000 autonomous vehicles across Europe and the Middle East.
Addressing concerns over a Chinese firm entering the domestic market, FutureLink said data collected in South Korea would not be sent abroad, and framed the tie-up as a way to strengthen the local industry through technology cooperation.
Nam said introducing Pony.ai's advanced technology and widening its localization could benefit not only FutureLink but South Korea's autonomous driving industry as a whole.
AJP Takeaways
• FutureLink, the autonomous driving unit of KOSDAQ-listed PonyLink, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with China's Pony.ai to operate 200 robotaxis in South Korea, with commercial service targeted in Seoul by around 2028.
• The initial fleet, built by China's BAIC Motor, will use Pony.ai's seventh-generation robotaxis; FutureLink has driven about 80,000 kilometers without an accident in Seoul's Gangnam district localizing the technology.
• FutureLink will handle domestic certification and operation while Pony.ai provides the self-driving technology, with the partners planning a joint venture and later expansion to other Korean cities.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
