On 27 March 2025, Luxembourg’s Minister for Mobility and Public Works, Yuriko Backes, officially granted Pony.ai Europe the first-ever authorisation to conduct scientific tests of autonomous cars on public roads in Luxembourg. This significant step underlines the country’s commitment to becoming a hub for autonomous vehicle innovation.

Pony.ai established its Luxembourg hub in 2024, aiming to benefit from the country’s welcoming ecosystem for autonomous vehicles to tailor its mobility solutions to the European market. The company also plans to set up its European data centre here. “This milestone further strengthens Pony.ai’s presence in Europe, as we have established Luxembourg as our European hub for research, development, and deployment, making us the first autonomous vehicle company to do so,” the company comments.

A milestone for the future of mobility

The autonomous vehicle tests, which will be conducted under human supervision, will take place over a one-year period in partnership with Luxembourg transport company Emile Weber. The two companies are working together to integrate autonomous mobility into Luxembourg’s future transportation ecosystem. The collaboration combines Pony.ai’s cutting-edge autonomous technology with Emile Weber’s extensive transportation expertise, spanning public and private transit, taxis, vehicle rentals, and tourism operations.

While operating on public roads, the three vehicles involved in the project must display a distinctive sign reading “scientific trial.” Additionally, they must be staffed by individuals who are properly trained to oversee the trials.

“The issuance of the testing permit marks an important milestone for the future of mobility,” comments Minister Backes. “Autonomous driving is a major innovation that can transform our daily lives. The government is pleased to support companies like Pony.ai in their quest for new technologies and is committed to supporting initiatives that aim to make mobility safer and more efficient.”

Pony.ai, the global leader in autonomous driving technology

Pony.ai has accumulated over 45 million kilometres of autonomous test driving globally and has built an operational network covering more than 2,000 square kilometres across four major cities in China. Its robotaxi services operate in complex environments, including high-speed rail stations, airports, and densely populated urban commercial areas.

Pony.ai co-founder and CEO, Dr. James Peng, stated: “Our testing in Luxembourg marks the beginning of an exciting chapter of collaboration, innovation, and progress for autonomous mobility in both Luxembourg and Europe. We are excited to strengthen our partnership with Emile Weber and look forward to expanding autonomous mobility across Luxembourg in the coming months.”

Autonomous vehicle companies expand presence in Luxembourg

Luxembourg is emerging as a key testing ground for autonomous vehicle development, thanks to its advanced digital infrastructure, including full 5G coverage and intelligent transport systems. The country’s compact size allows for efficient real-world validation of sensor fusion, V2X communication, and AI-driven decision-making algorithms.

Engineers benefit from close collaboration with institutions such as the University of Luxembourg’s 360Lab, which offers access to high-definition mapping and simulation tools. Regulatory support and streamlined permitting processes further accelerate prototyping and deployment. For R&D teams developing scalable, real-time autonomous systems, Luxembourg provides a technically rich and agile environment.

“Thanks to Luxembourg’s innovation-friendly ecosystem and the targeted support from Luxinnovation, leading autonomous mobility companies such as Pony.ai, Teraki, and AutoX have chosen to establish their European operations here,” says Anthony Auert, Business Relationship Manager at Luxinnovation. “Our role has been to help integrate them into the local R&D ecosystem, connect them with key academic and industry partners, and speed up their deployment strategies through tailored support services.”

Article credits:

Anthony Auert – Business Relationship Manager @ Luxinnovation

Jean-Michel Gaudron – Senior Communication Officer @ Luxinnovation