Pony.ai, a China and US-based self-driving vehicle technology company, received approval from the Beijing authorities to offer driverless robotaxi services in Beijing, China. As per the approval, robotaxis now do not require a safety driver behind the wheel, but a backup safety supervisor must sit in the back seat instead.

The company is now allowed to deploy up to 10 robotaxis in a predefined area of 23.2 square miles in the suburb of Yizhuang, Beijing.

Local competitor Baidu was also granted the same permit today.

Analyst QuickTake: Pony.ai first received the permit to conduct driverless testing of robotaxis in October 2021, and got the approval to offer driverless rides to the public with the safety driver in the front passenger seat earlier this year.