Self-driving company parks HQ in Nansha

Guangzhou citizens will soon be able to experience auto-piloted cars made in Nansha Development Zone after the district signed a cooperation agreement with Beijing Pony.ai Technology (Pony.ai) on Oct 16.

According to the agreement, the two parties will work together to establish a headquarters for Pony.ai, a research and development center for auto-piloted vehicles and a car experience center.

Nansha Development Zone signs a cooperation agreement with Pony.ai on Oct 16. [Photo/gznsnews.com] 

Pony.ai is a Beijing-based technology company devoted to the research and development of self-driving cars. The company was founded in March this year and boasts a group of experts in self-driving field who have previously worked at internet giants like Google and Baidu.

A spokesperson for Nansha Development Zone said it will give full support to Pony.ai in terms of talents introduction, finding an R&D site and financial subsidies.

According to Peng Jun, chief executive officer of Pony.ai, Nansha has a range of leading auto enterprises and the auto industrial chain in the area has already taken shape. "Pony.ai will make full use of upstream and downstream industrial resources to make Nansha a place with the most cutting-edge self-driving vehicle industry," Peng said.

Pony.ai will cooperate with other auto companies and refit cars by installing sensors, radar devices and Guangzhou citizens will hopefully be able to experience self-driving cars by the Spring Festival, according to Lou Tiancheng, chief technology officer of Pony.ai. 

Cai Chaolin (M), deputy mayor of Guangzhou, leads a delegation to Pony.ai to promote the settling of the company in Guangzhou. [Photo/gznsnews.com]