The image is from the visual China Group.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles suspended the testing permit of Pony.ai after a vehicle crash.
Pony.ai was one of the few companies that was approved to test fully self driving vehicles. Major operators like Cruise have been issued permits by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The permit was suspended and Pony's name was removed from the list of permit holders after a reported vehicle collision in California. Pony has a permit to test its vehicles on its own. The company is allowed to test vehicles with a safety driver behind the steering wheel.
The center divider came into contact with Pony's audiovisual equipment.
The permit was suspended after the company reported a crash. All permit holders are required to file reports after a collision. Pony's vehicle came into contact with a center divider containing a traffic sign while it was in self-pilot, according to the report.
The report states that the Pony.ai AV suffered moderate damage to the front of the vehicle. There were no injuries.
The police were called to the scene. Pony reached out to local authorities to resolve all issues related to the damaged street sign.
The safety of the public remains the top priority of the California Department of Motor Vehicles, and the department's regulations for self-driving cars allow for safe testing on public roads. There is an unreasonable risk to public safety that the Department of Motor Vehicles can immediately suspend or revocation permits.
Pony has commercial plans in the state.
Pony has commercial plans in the state. Pony.ai founder and CEO James Peng told The Verge that the company was trying to get approval to include those vehicles in its service in California. He said that they were at the final stage of getting approval for travelers.
Toyota invested $400 million in Pony.ai last year. The company has been testing self-drive vehicles in Beijing and Guangzhou since late last year.
Pony has driven over 750,000 miles in California since the beginning of the year, according to a statement. The October collision is being investigated by Pony.
One of the industry's best safety records is what we are proud of. We look forward to a resolution.
