Pony.ai loses permission to test autonomous vehicles with driver in California – TechCrunch

On Tuesday, the California Department of Transportation revoked Pony.ai’s license to test autonomous vehicle technology with the driver for failing to monitor drivers ’driving records in the test permit.

“Examining Pony.ai’s application for an extension of the test permit, DMV found numerous violations in the driving records of active Pony.ai drivers for safety,” said DMV spokesman TechCrunch, noting that Pony had 41 autonomous test vehicles and 71 safety. drivers with his permission.

“Because of the important role of safety drivers in facilitating the safe testing of autonomous technologies and the need for these drivers to have a clean driving record, as established by the DMV autonomous vehicle regulations, the DMV revokes a permit that takes effect immediately.”

The news follows suspension of Pony’s uncontrolled permissionthat allows you to test your AV technology without a human safety operator in the front seat in November 2021 after a collision in Fremont, California. At the time, the National Highway Traffic Safety and Security Administration suspected a software default, so in March, The pony recalled three cars with similar possible software problems.

The California DMV did not respond in a timely manner to requests for additional information on the status of Pony’s suspended driver’s license without testing, but if a possibly safer version of that permit – one that requires the driver’s presence during testing – was completely revoked, it is unlikely that DMV will soon time to renew permission without startup driver.

“If there is an unreasonable risk to public safety, the DMV may immediately suspend or revoke permits,” TechCrunch said.

Currently, Pony does not have any active permits to test in California.

Meanwhile, in China, where most of Pony’s operations are located, the company has just received permission to provide without a driver public transportation services on open roads in Beijing. The company also recently recruited a Taxi license for commercial services in Guangzhou.

The pony did not respond in a timely manner to the comment.