Pony AI Inc (PONY) stock surged 15.05% in intraday trading following the announcement of a strategic partnership with Uber Technologies (UBER) to deploy Pony.ai's robotaxis onto the Uber platform. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the advancement of autonomous mobility and has sparked investor enthusiasm.

The partnership is set to launch initially in a key Middle Eastern market later this year, with plans for expansion into other international markets in the future. During the initial pilot phase, Pony AI's vehicles will include a safety operator onboard before transitioning to a fully autonomous commercial launch. This move aligns with Uber's recent string of partnerships aimed at strengthening its presence in the growing robotaxi sector.

Analysts view this partnership as a strategic move for Pony AI to accelerate its global expansion and potentially improve its path to profitability. The company, which reported a full-year loss of $274.1 million for 2024, aims to turn profitable by 2028 or 2029. This collaboration with Uber, a leading ride-hailing platform, could significantly boost Pony AI's market reach and operational scale, potentially accelerating its journey towards profitability.