对话小马智行CEO彭军：L4是与L2不一样的物种，L4的规模化就要来了

Core Viewpoint - The autonomous driving industry is at a critical juncture, with companies like Pony.ai firmly committed to the L4 route, distinguishing themselves from the increasingly competitive L2 market [6][8][9]. Group 1: Company Strategy and Development - Pony.ai was founded in 2016, choosing a leapfrog approach to L4 autonomous driving, contrasting with the gradual L2 upgrades pursued by others [6]. - The company faced significant challenges during the capital winter around 2020, leading to considerations of shifting focus to L2++ driving [4][5]. - After going public on NASDAQ, Pony.ai is now focused on scaling its operations and achieving mass production of its autonomous vehicles [6][10]. Group 2: Market Position and Competition - The L2 market is described as a "red ocean," indicating fierce competition, while L4 is seen as a "blue ocean" with greater potential for growth [8][9]. - Pony.ai's L4 strategy is based on a different set of goals compared to L2, necessitating distinct technological and cost requirements [9][17]. - The company has successfully reduced the cost of its seventh-generation Robotaxi by 70% compared to the previous generation, enhancing its competitive edge [6][29]. Group 3: Regulatory and Public Trust - Regulatory support is emerging in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, which is crucial for the acceptance of autonomous vehicles [10][11]. - Building public trust is essential, with a focus on maintaining a lower accident rate than human drivers to alleviate regulatory concerns [11][43]. Group 4: Future Goals and Challenges - Pony.ai aims to establish a "supply-demand network" to enhance user experience and reduce wait times for rides, which is vital for commercial viability [12][46]. - The company targets a fleet of over 1,000 operational vehicles by the end of this year or early next year [44]. - Achieving operational profitability and scaling to tens of thousands of vehicles is projected to take at least 15 years [48]. Group 5: Technological and Operational Insights - The company emphasizes the importance of a systematic approach to optimize both technology and cost for L4 deployment [35][47]. - Pony.ai's operational strategy includes leveraging experiences from both the taxi and ride-hailing sectors to enhance its autonomous vehicle fleet management [49]. - The company is also exploring international markets, including partnerships in South Korea and the UAE, to expand its autonomous driving technology [52].