Travis Kalanick, the co-founder and former CEO of Uber, is reportedly exploring the acquisition of the U.S. division of Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous vehicle company. According to recent reports, Kalanick is collaborating with investors to finance this potential deal, with Uber possibly playing a supportive role in facilitating the transaction.
Background on Pony.ai
Established in 2016, Pony.ai has emerged as a significant player in the autonomous driving sector. The company went public in 2024, achieving a market capitalization of approximately $4.5 billion. In anticipation of a sale or spinoff, Pony.ai began preparing its U.S. operations in 2022 by creating a distinct version of its source code. This strategic move underscores the company’s intent to streamline its operations and enhance its appeal to potential investors.
Kalanick’s Reentry into Autonomous Vehicles
Acquiring Pony.ai’s U.S. arm would mark Kalanick’s return to the autonomous vehicle industry since his departure from Uber in 2017. During his tenure at Uber, the company invested heavily in self-driving technology. However, a tragic incident in 2018, where an Uber test vehicle was involved in a fatal accident in Arizona, led to a reevaluation of the company’s autonomous vehicle strategy. Subsequently, under CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber sold its self-driving division to Aurora, an autonomous trucking startup, and shifted towards partnerships with companies like Waymo to integrate self-driving cars into its platform.
In recent years, Kalanick has focused on CloudKitchens, a company specializing in ghost kitchens. Despite this venture, he has maintained an interest in autonomous technology. In March 2025, Kalanick remarked that during his leadership, Uber was really only behind Waymo but probably catching up in the autonomous vehicle race. He expressed a sentiment that having an autonomous ride-sharing product would be advantageous in the current market landscape.
Uber’s Strategic Considerations
Uber’s potential involvement in Kalanick’s acquisition of Pony.ai’s U.S. operations reflects its strategic response to intensifying competition in the autonomous ride-hailing sector. Competitors like Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, and Tesla’s recently launched robotaxi service in Austin, are rapidly advancing in this space. By supporting Kalanick’s acquisition, Uber could gain access to Pony.ai’s advanced autonomous technology, potentially integrating it into its platform to enhance service offerings and maintain a competitive edge.
Pony.ai’s Technological Advancements
Pony.ai’s seventh-generation autonomous driving system, introduced in 2025, features a modular design that reduces costs by 70% while supporting Level 4 autonomy, which requires no human intervention. This system powers both robotaxis and trucks, with partnerships including Toyota’s bZ4X fleet and Sany Heavy Truck’s platooning solutions. If Kalanick’s acquisition is successful, Uber could leverage this technology to integrate autonomous services directly into its ride-hailing platform, providing a significant advantage over competitors.
Implications for the Autonomous Vehicle Industry
The potential acquisition signifies a notable development in the autonomous vehicle industry. It highlights the strategic maneuvers companies are undertaking to secure a foothold in the rapidly evolving autonomous mobility market. For Kalanick, this move represents an opportunity to reestablish his presence in the sector and potentially influence its trajectory. For Uber, it offers a chance to bolster its technological capabilities and address the challenges posed by emerging competitors.
Conclusion
While discussions are still in the preliminary stages, the potential acquisition of Pony.ai’s U.S. operations by Travis Kalanick, with possible support from Uber, underscores the dynamic nature of the autonomous vehicle industry. As companies vie for technological superiority and market dominance, strategic partnerships and acquisitions are becoming increasingly pivotal. The outcome of these discussions could have far-reaching implications for the future of autonomous mobility and the competitive landscape of ride-hailing services.
