SAN FRANCISCO — Pony.ai announced plans to triple its global robotaxi fleet to 3,000 vehicles by late 2026. The autonomous vehicle company says this expansion will finally allow them to block three times as many intersections at the same time.

The company admits that current fleet numbers are too low to fully stop city traffic. “We realized one stalled car simply isn’t enough,” said Michael Chang, Vice President of Strategic Stopping. “To truly change how cities move, we need a confused robot in every single lane.” The new strategy ensures maximum coverage. When one car freezes because it sees a traffic cone, two others will be there to trap the human drivers behind it.

The expanded fleet features advanced “hesitation technology.” This allows the cars to stop abruptly for plastic bags, shadows, and pigeons. Early tests show the cars can turn a five-minute trip into a forty-minute experience. “Consistency is our goal,” explained Dr. Elena Ross, Director of Passenger Delay. “Our data shows people love sitting in a car that is afraid to turn left. It gives them time to regret not walking.”

At press time, Pony.ai announced a new feature where three robotaxis will automatically form a triangle around a fire truck to ensure it cannot pass.

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