Pony.ai Temporarily Halts Robotaxi Services After Fire Raises Safety Questions

China’s autonomous vehicle company Pony.ai has suspended its robotaxi services following a fire incident involving one of its driverless vehicles in Beijing earlier this week. Although no injuries were reported, the matter has prompted authorities to halt the firm’s autonomous driving trials and services until further notice.

At the time of writing, the Pony.ai app no longer displays its robotaxi feature. According to sources familiar with the issue, there is currently no clear timeline for when services will resume.

The incident has not only raised safety concerns, but also affected market sentiment. The company’s stock price fell by more than 10% overnight, a sharp decline that signals investor nervousness in the still-developing autonomous mobility sector. This comes despite the stock having gained more than 25% so far this year.

Market analysts noted that investor confidence in autonomous vehicle firms remains vulnerable to any perceived safety lapses. “One incident is all it takes to shake the market’s trust,” one analyst commented, adding that companies in this space must now prioritise risk management and transparent communication.

While authorities have yet to release a public statement, the case underscores the challenges ahead for autonomous mobility players—not only in terms of technological advancement but also in maintaining public confidence and meeting safety expectations.