Uber, Pony.ai And Verne Launch Europe’s First Robotaxi Service In Croatia
Uber Technologies has partnered with Pony.ai and autonomous vehicle startup Verne to introduce Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service. The service will begin operations in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, marking a major step in the expansion of driverless transport across the continent.
Partnership Structure And Roles
Under the agreement, Pony.ai will provide the autonomous driving technology that powers the robotaxis. Meanwhile, Verne will act as the fleet owner and oversee daily operations. This division of responsibilities allows each company to focus on its core strengths.
Uber will integrate the robotaxi service into its global ride hailing platform. At the same time, the service will also run through Verne’s own customer facing application. As a result, users will have multiple access points to book autonomous rides.
Expansion Plans And Investment Strategy
The companies aim to create a scalable model for robotaxi services in Zagreb. Over time, they plan to expand into other European cities and additional global markets. Furthermore, the partnership intends to grow the fleet to thousands of robotaxis within the next few years.
Uber will also invest in Verne as part of the deal. This investment strengthens the strategic partnership and supports Verne’s expansion efforts. Consequently, the collaboration positions all three companies for long term growth in the autonomous mobility sector.
Testing, Regulation And Deployment
The trio has already begun on road testing in Zagreb. In addition, preparations are underway to launch fare charging services in the near future. These steps indicate that commercial deployment is approaching.
Verne will lead efforts to secure regulatory approval across Europe. It will also coordinate the deployment of Pony.ai’s robotaxis across both its own platform and Uber’s network. Therefore, regulatory compliance remains central to the rollout strategy.
Uber’s Broader Autonomous Strategy
Uber has built partnerships with nearly two dozen autonomous vehicle technology companies. These partnerships span robotaxis, trucking, sidewalk delivery robots, and drones. As interest in driverless transport grows, Uber continues to position itself at the centre of this evolving industry.
This latest collaboration reflects Uber’s broader ambition to scale autonomous mobility solutions globally while leveraging partnerships to accelerate deployment.
With inputs from Reuters
