Autonomous vehicle startup Pony.ai will soon test self-driving cars in Tucson after losing its testing permit in California.
The company lost the permit in California earlier this year because the state found it was failing to monitor the driving records of its safety drivers. Before that, the state suspended its driverless permit after one of its autonomous cars was involved in a crash that included no injuries or other vehicles.
The Silicon Valley and China-based company will partner with Pima Community College and said it will test cars with trained safety drivers behind the wheel.
“We are excited to welcome Pony.ai to Tucson as the next site of their autonomous vehicle pilot," Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said in a press release.
A spokesperson from the mayor’s office confirmed that they were aware of the suspension and did not find it disqualifying.
A spokesperson for the Arizona Department of Transportation said via email that the company has met the requirements to test cars with safety drivers and would not comment on the suspension.
Pony.ai’s spokesperson was not available for comment.
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