Pony.ai CEO James Peng Discusses Safety and Future of Autonomous Mobility on Times Radio
Pony.ai CEO James Peng says autonomous vehicles will be safer than human drivers, with operations data showing significant safety improvements.
- 2050
What Happened
Pony.ai Founder and CEO James Peng recently joined Times Radio for a conversation with broadcaster Fi Glover on how artificial intelligence is reshaping travel and urban mobility. The discussion covered safety, the long-term future of driving, job transformation, regulation, and how driverless cars interpret human behavior on the road.
“A large share of road accidents are caused by human error. People may be distracted, tired, nervous, under the influence, or simply fail to notice other road users. Autonomous driving is designed to address many of these risks. With 360-degree sensor coverage and constant attention to the surrounding environment, autonomous vehicles have the potential to avoid many accidents that are caused by hum”
“We already have real operational data showing that autonomous driving can be safe — and in our own operations, significantly safer than human driving. ... Human driving safety, as a whole, tends to remain relatively static, and in some cases may even decline because of distraction, mobile phone usage, and shorter attention spans. Autonomous driving systems, by contrast, continue to improve through”
When asked about the future by 2050, Peng predicted the majority of transportation will become autonomous because it will be safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable. He noted that human driving may persist as recreational or in rural areas, while city mobility shifts to autonomy.
“Technology has always changed the structure of employment. Many industries that once depended heavily on manual labor have become highly automated, and society has had to adjust. Autonomous driving will be part of that broader technological transition. ... New types of work are also being created, including fleet operations, remote assistance, vehicle maintenance, safety supervision, and other rol”
- Fleet operations
- Remote assistance
- Vehicle maintenance
- Safety supervision
“Autonomous driving, and AI more broadly, will likely create significant value for society. But that value may not be distributed evenly. There is a real risk that AI could widen the gap between those who benefit from the technology and those who do not. ... This also requires policy, regulation, education, and broader social planning. The future of AI cannot be shaped by companies alone.”
Previously from Pony.ai Inc.
Pony.ai has been expanding its autonomous ride-hailing services globally. In Singapore, the company launched public ride booking via ComfortDelGro's Zig app in June 2026. CEO James Peng disclosed at MOVE London 2026 that the robotaxi fleet is approaching 2,000 vehicles, with a target of 50,000, and noted regulation as the main bottleneck. Also in June 2026, the company announced a pilot with Bolt and Stellantis in Luxembourg.
- Pony.ai and ComfortDelGro Launch Autonomous Ride Booking for Public via Zig App in Singapore
- Pony.ai CEO James Peng Discusses Robotaxi Scaling and Global Expansion at MOVE London 2026
- Bolt, Pony.ai, and Stellantis Launch Autonomous Mobility Pilot in Luxembourg
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of Pony.ai Inc.'s official releases.
Why this matters
The interview provides insight into how autonomous driving companies like Pony.ai build public trust through safety data, while also addressing job displacement concerns. It highlights the potential for safer roads and lower transportation costs, but also the need for responsible transition and regulation.
Terms in This Story
- Autonomous vehicle
- A vehicle capable of sensing its environment and operating without human input.
- Human error
- Mistakes made by human drivers due to distraction, fatigue, or other factors.
- 360-degree sensor coverage
- A system of cameras, radar, and lidar that provides a full view around the vehicle.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.