- Pony.ai and GAC Lingcheng unveiled a Gen‑4 L4 Robotruck based on the T9 electric heavy truck, signaling a strategic push into predictable long‑haul, dedicated‑route and port logistics markets.
- The Robotruck features sixfold redundant systems, nine LiDARs, three millimeter‑wave radars, 13 cameras, 70% lower autonomous BOM cost versus prior gen, and about 10% lower energy use.
- Targeting Europe and the Middle East within two years, Pony.ai faces execution risks around certification, scaling volume production on schedule, local partnerships and logistics operators’ margin sensitivity.
Pony.ai and GAC Lingcheng jointly unveiled their L4 autonomous heavy-duty truck, or Robotruck, at IAA Transportation in Hanover, Germany.
Based on GAC Lingcheng’s T9 electric heavy truck, the new model is scheduled to enter volume production this year, initially targeting long-haul freight, dedicated-route logistics and port transportation.
The vehicle is one of Pony.ai’s fourth-generation autonomous heavy trucks.
Its fully redundant architectures span six key systems: steering, braking, communications, power supply, computing and sensing.
Its perception system comprises nine LiDAR units, three millimeter-wave radars and 13 cameras, providing 360-degree coverage around the vehicle.
Compared with the previous generation, the autonomous driving system’s bill of materials (BOM) cost has been reduced by 70%, while transport costs per tonne-kilometer are expected to fall by 30%.
In addition, an energy-efficiency algorithm for autonomous driving, combined with the T9’s low-drag 0.4 Cd design, is expected to cut energy consumption by about 10% versus conventional trucks.
The launch also expands Pony.ai’s partnership with GAC Group from passenger vehicles into commercial vehicles.
On April 16, the two companies signed a strategic cooperation agreement for autonomous heavy trucks.
Five months later, the product completed testing and validation and made its global debut at IAA.
Compared with Robotaxis, Robotrucks operating in long-haul logistics, dedicated-route transport and port environments typically follow more predictable routes, while vehicle operating costs have a direct impact on logistics operators’ margins.
At IAA Transportation, Pony.ai also unveiled its global Robotruck strategy for the first time, with plans to enter European and Middle Eastern markets within the next two years.
Pony.ai’s Robotaxi business has already begun expanding through operating partnerships in China and overseas markets, including Dubai, Singapore and Croatia.
The choice of Europe and the Middle East as the next target markets for Robotrucks is also linked to local freight demand and established commercial vehicle industries.
IAA Transportation itself is a major global showcase and procurement platform for the commercial vehicle industry.
Making the Robotruck’s global debut there gives Pony.ai direct access to European automakers and the logistics and transportation value chain.
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