In autonomous and self-driving vehicle news are May Mobility, Pony.ai,Foxconn, Waymo and BYD.
In this Article
May Mobility Unveils Ride-Hail API, Readies for Global AV Expansion
May Mobility, a frontrunner in autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, has introduced its Ride-Hail Integration API, a major advancement in its Autonomy-as-a-Service (AaaS) model. This proprietary API is designed to seamlessly connect May Mobility’s self-driving fleet with global ride-hail platforms like Uber and Lyft. By enabling smart, dynamic routing and optimal passenger pick-up and drop-off points, the API ensures scalable and safe deployment of AVs across urban markets worldwide—including countries with both left- and right-hand driving regulations.
The launch is supported by enhancements to May Mobility’s patented Multi-Policy Decision Making (MPDM) system, which improves autonomous performance in complex urban settings. These upgrades include improved navigation on narrow streets, more human-like driving behavior around obstacles such as double-parked vehicles, and smoother accelerations and braking for increased passenger comfort. These software advancements are crucial as the company prepares to deploy its AVs with Lyft in Atlanta this summer and Uber in Arlington, Texas, later this year.
May Mobility’s MPDM system distinguishes it from competitors by allowing its AVs to react in real-time to unpredictable scenarios, using a fusion of LIDAR, RADAR, and camera data. As one of only three U.S. companies offering commercial driverless rides on public roads—and the only one launching on both major ride-hailing platforms in 2025—May Mobility is positioned to lead the next phase of AV integration. “Today’s update delivers a better rider experience and prepares our technology for mass-market use,” said Jacob Crossman, SVP of autonomy engineering at May Mobility.
Pony.ai and Dubai RTA
Pony.ai, a leading autonomous mobility company, has partnered with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to formally launch a strategic collaboration aimed at deploying L4 autonomous robotaxi services. The announcement was made during a special unveiling ceremony in Dubai, signaling both parties’ commitment to advancing self-driving technologies within the city’s public transport network.
The alliance is focused on enhancing urban transportation by leveraging Pony.ai’s cutting-edge autonomous driving platform. The initiative supports Dubai’s broader vision to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and build a sustainable, tech-forward mobility ecosystem. This partnership represents a significant step in transforming how residents and visitors move through the city.
As part of a phased rollout, supervised robotaxi trials will begin in late 2025, with the eventual goal of launching fully driverless services. The project marks an important milestone in Dubai’s plan to become a global leader in autonomous urban transport.
Pony.ai Begins Mass Production of Gen-7 Robotaxis
Pony.ai has officially launched mass production and road testing of its seventh-generation (Gen-7) Robotaxi models, moving closer to its goal of deploying over 1,000 autonomous vehicles by the end of 2025. The milestone marks a significant step toward large-scale commercialization of autonomous mobility, with Gen-7 vehicles already being built through partnerships with GAC and BAIC, two major Chinese automakers.
Following its Gen-7 system debut at the Shanghai Auto Show, Pony.ai integrated its autonomous technology into both GAC and BAIC platforms, ensuring quality from component sourcing through final assembly. Road testing has commenced in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, transitioning the vehicles from controlled environments into real-world conditions.
The Gen-7 platform introduces key innovations, including the first use of 100% automotive-grade components, a 70% reduction in ADK hardware costs, and a scalable design compatible across multiple vehicle types. Declaring 2025 its “year of mass production,” Pony.ai is laying the groundwork for rapid expansion and broader deployment of robotaxi services in global markets.
Applied Intuition Acquires Reblika’s Generative AI
Applied Intuition has acquired Reblika’s generative AI technology to create highly configurable and lifelike 3D digital humans, boosting its simulation capabilities for testing autonomous systems across industries like automotive, defense, and construction.
Innoviz Ships First InnovizTwo LiDAR Units
Innoviz Technologies has reached a key milestone by shipping the first InnovizTwo LiDAR units from manufacturing partner Fabrinet’s high-volume production line, signaling the start of scalable production for the autonomous vehicle market. The launch follows months of preparation to meet strict automotive-grade quality standards and positions Innoviz to meet growing global demand for advanced LiDAR solutions.
Foxconn’s HHRI Wins Top Honors
Hon Hai Research Institute (HHRI), the R&D arm of Foxconn, has earned international acclaim for its cutting-edge work in autonomous driving, taking first place in the Waymo Open Dataset Challenge’s Interaction Prediction Track with its innovative ModeSeq technology. Presented at the prestigious CVPR 2025 conference, ModeSeq enables more accurate, diverse, and scenario-adaptive trajectory predictions for traffic participants, directly improving the decision-making safety of autonomous vehicles while reducing computational costs.
Developed in collaboration with the City University of Hong Kong and supported by researchers from Carnegie Mellon University, ModeSeq employs a novel approach to multimodal motion prediction by introducing sequential modeling and a unique Early-Match-Take-All (EMTA) loss function. It uses a Factorized Transformer-based encoder and a hybrid decoder to better anticipate complex, uncertain traffic behaviors. A refined version, Parallel ModeSeq, triumphed over leading global institutions including the National University of Singapore and Georgia Tech.
This year’s victory follows a strong showing in 2024, where ModeSeq ranked second globally. With only 22% of submissions accepted at CVPR 2025, HHRI’s recognition underscores Foxconn’s growing influence in AI and autonomous driving technologies—marking a major step forward in the company’s transition from electronics manufacturing to high-tech innovation leadership.
Waymo Launches Teen Accounts in Phoenix
Waymo has introduced a new teen account option for its Waymo One service in the Phoenix metro area, permitting teenagers aged 14 to 17 to ride unaccompanied. Linked to a parent or guardian’s account, the feature includes real‑time location sharing, digital receipts, and access to specially trained remote operators who can assist or notify parents during trips .
After months of pilot testing, Waymo is expanding the service broadly across over 300 square miles of Phoenix. The move reflects growing parental trust in driverless technology as a safer alternative to teen driving and rideshares. While similar to Uber’s teen rideshare offerings, Waymo’s rollout emphasizes seamless tracking, dedicated support, and the convenience of autonomous mobility—though there’s no current timeline for extending the program to other cities.
Waymo, the autonomous driving division of Alphabet, has significantly expanded its commercial robotaxi operations across North America and Asia. In 2025, the company launched fully driverless services in Silicon Valley—covering Mountain View, Palo Alto, and surrounding areas—and began operations in Austin, Texas, through a partnership with Uber. These moves signal Waymo’s confidence in the maturity of its autonomous technology and represent a major step toward integrating self-driving vehicles into everyday urban transportation.
Internationally, Waymo has begun testing its autonomous vehicles in Tokyo, operating in six central wards as it explores global adaptability. It also announced plans to expand service to Washington, D.C. by 2026, pending regulatory approval. These developments reflect Waymo’s methodical approach to scaling its operations in diverse environments while navigating complex legal and infrastructural landscapes. The company’s rollout in cities like Miami and Coral Gables further illustrates its commitment to building a reliable, geographically distributed network.
Despite facing challenges such as safety validation, public trust, and regulatory scrutiny, Waymo continues to position itself at the forefront of autonomous mobility. Its integration with platforms like Uber and data collection from varied city landscapes allow the company to fine-tune its service. As global cities move toward smarter mobility solutions, Waymo’s expansion signals that driverless ride-hailing is transitioning from experimental tech to a viable, everyday option.
BYD Will Cover Self-Parking Damages
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has announced it will fully cover any damage caused by its upgraded self-parking system, known as “God’s Eye,” which it claims has reached Level 4 autonomy. In a translated statement on the company’s Weibo account, BYD assures drivers they won’t need to involve their insurance if an incident occurs while using the feature—they can contact BYD directly for support. This pledge, BYD says, reflects its confidence in the system and its commitment to consumer safety.
Level 4 autonomy allows a vehicle to operate without human intervention in specific conditions. Currently, Mercedes-Benz is the only other automaker offering such a system, but its Level 4 parking feature is limited to a parking garage at Stuttgart Airport. Other manufacturers, like Tesla, have developed advanced driver-assistance systems, but these remain at Level 2, meaning the driver must remain engaged and ready to take control at any time. Tesla’s Autopark, part of its Full Self-Driving suite, has received mixed reviews, with some users citing inconsistent performance.
Outside of the self-parking feature, BYD’s God’s Eye system operates at Level 2 autonomy and is available in three versions. The most advanced variant, God’s Eye A, includes three LiDAR sensors and is designed for high-end vehicles. BYD, which has overtaken Tesla in global EV sales, is positioning itself as a leader in autonomous technology, emphasizing both innovation and customer protection as it expands into premium vehicle features.
