AsianFin -- Chinese autonomous driving startup Pony.ai has launched around-the-clock autonomous vehicle testing in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, extending its operating hours from 7 a.m.–11 p.m. to full 24/7 coverage.

The move aims to further validate the reliability and safety of its self-driving systems in complex nighttime environments, marking a policy breakthrough for the three major cities and a key step in expanding autonomous services beyond daytime commuting.

Pony.ai has accumulated over 50 million kilometers of autonomous driving test mileage to date, including more than 8 million kilometers of fully driverless operations. Its vehicles are equipped with advanced perception systems and sensor self-cleaning technology designed to handle challenging conditions after dark.

The expanded testing is expected to provide critical technical and real-world scenario support for Pony.ai’s push toward commercial deployment of its Robotaxi services.