Pony AI Inc, a leading company in advancing and commercializing autonomous driving at scale, has announced that its self-driving mobility service in Singapore—run in partnership with ComfortDelGro—has secured regulatory clearance to begin its “by-invite” ride phase, the final step before opening to the general public.

This development represents an important milestone for Pony.ai’s expansion in Singapore and supports its dual-engine growth strategy, which focuses on scaling autonomous mobility operations both within China and internationally. The progress also highlights the company’s continued collaboration with local authorities and partners to advance autonomous transport solutions in the country.

The service operates along a 12-kilometre route in the north-eastern district of Punggol, linking neighborhoods such as Punggol Northshore and Waterway Sunrise with major destinations including Oasis Terraces, Punggol Plaza, One Punggol, and Punggol Coast Mall. It also offers direct connectivity to the Punggol Coast MRT station and nearby bus interchange. The full journey takes approximately 55 minutes and is expected to reduce travel time by up to 15 minutes compared to existing public transport options.

Dr. James Peng, Founder and CEO of Pony.ai, stated that Singapore plays a key role in the company’s global rollout plans. He noted that entering the by-invite stage with ComfortDelGro moves the initiative closer to real-world operational use, allowing autonomous mobility technology to be tested in everyday commuting conditions. He also emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration with local partners as the project advances.

Pony.ai initially revealed its plans for Singapore in September 2025 as part of its broader international expansion. This initiative builds on its strategic partnership with ComfortDelGro, which began with a memorandum of understanding signed in July 2024 and included a pilot autonomous mobility project in Guangzhou in March 2025. Together, both organizations aim to support Singapore’s efforts to enhance first- and last-mile connectivity through innovative transport solutions.

The Singapore rollout also reflects Pony.ai’s wider growth strategy. Having already demonstrated the commercial viability and strong unit economics of its robotaxi model in China, the company is now extending its proven expertise to international markets while continuing to strengthen its domestic presence. Singapore serves as a key example of applying this experience abroad.

During the by-invite phase, selected members of the local community will be able to try the service before it becomes widely available. Feedback gathered during this period will help Pony.ai and ComfortDelGro refine operations in collaboration with Singapore’s Land Transport Authority and other stakeholders, paving the way for a full public launch.

MilliporeSigma, the Life Science division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany for the U.S. and Canada, has officially launched its global 2025 Curiosity Cube tour in Darmstadt, Germany. These solar-powered mobile science labs are designed to deliver interactive STEM activities to communities across North America, Europe, and — for the first time — Africa. The 2025 tour sets an ambitious goal to engage 60,000 students globally, reinforcing the company's dedication to sparking interest in science and technology.

"In a world being rapidly reshaped by technological advancements and scientific innovation, it is more crucial than ever to cultivate early enthusiasm for STEM careers and to show young people that science is engaging and enjoyable," said Tim M. Jaeger, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer for Merck KGaA’s Life Science business. "Through the Curiosity Cube, we are eliminating barriers to science education by delivering hands-on experiments directly to students in their communities. This year’s addition of AI-focused lessons introduces students to emerging technologies, making science more accessible and exciting."

As artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly influences daily life and work, it's vital for students to develop a foundational understanding of AI and its ethical use. The Curiosity Cube’s 2025 programming offers early, interactive exposure to AI concepts, helping students build critical thinking skills and digital literacy for the future. New lessons include:

On June 10, 2025, the Curiosity Cube will make its first-ever appearance in Africa, with 100 events planned throughout Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa. This expansion supports Merck’s broader mission to make high-quality science education available worldwide.

Meanwhile, the seventh North American tour will feature 140 events in key cities across the U.S. and Canada, including Austin, Boston, Cleveland, Houston, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Seattle, St. Louis, and Toronto.

In Europe, the Curiosity Cube will host more than 130 events, traveling through Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Additionally, the newly opened Curiosity Labs™ STEM Center in Darmstadt, Germany will further strengthen the initiative by offering local students access to 11 interactive science lessons throughout the year, nurturing the next generation of scientific innovators.

Click here to know more about the Curiosity Cube and view the 2025 tour schedule.