Mobility company Pony.ai, originally from California, has received the first ministerial authorisation to test self-driven cars on public roads in Luxembourg.
Lena Mårtensson
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.
The autonomous vehicle tests, which will be done under human supervision, will be carried out in partnership with the Luxembourg transport company Emile Weber. The two companies are collaborating to integrate autonomous mobility into Luxembourg’s future transportation ecosystem.
"The issuance of this authorisation marks an important milestone for the future of mobility,” commented 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."
Photo credits: © MMTP
