HONG KONG, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Guangzhou-based Pony.ai Inc

is seeking to launch its robotaxi services in Hong

Kong, joining Baidu ( BIDU ) in a race to provide services in

the city, as the autonomous driving firm looks to expand its

operations globally.

Nasdaq-listed Pony.ai plans to provide robotaxi commuting

services for airport staff within Hong Kong International

Airport before expanding into other urban areas in the city, the

company said in a statement late on Friday. It did not provide a

time frame for the launch.

Chinese artificial intelligence giant Baidu ( BIDU ) is also eyeing

the launch of its driverless taxi service in the city after the

Hong Kong government approved its application to conduct trials

in North Lantau in November.

Pony.ai, which has obtained robotaxi service licences in

Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, said it is also

exploring the deployment of its autonomous driving business in

South Korea, Luxembourg, the Middle East and other countries.