Robotaxi Service Launches in Zagreb
▼ Summary
– Verne, a Croatian startup co-founded by Mate Rimac, has partnered with Pony.ai and Uber to launch a commercial robotaxi service, starting in Zagreb.
– The service will initially use Pony.ai’s autonomous driving system installed on the Arcfox Alpha T5 vehicle, not Verne’s own prototype pod.
– Uber will integrate the service into its app and has announced an intention to invest in Verne as a strategic partner.
– The companies plan to scale the fleet to thousands of vehicles across multiple European cities, though no commercial launch date has been set.
– This partnership aligns with Uber’s strategy of building an autonomous network through external partners rather than developing its own technology.
A new partnership is bringing a commercial robotaxi service to Europe, with Zagreb, Croatia, selected as its launch city. The collaboration involves three key players: Croatian startup Verne, Chinese autonomous driving firm Pony.ai, and the global ride-hailing giant Uber. This initiative represents a significant step toward deploying autonomous ride-hailing at scale across the continent, though a specific date for when passengers will begin paying for rides has not been set.
Verne, co-founded by electric hypercar pioneer Mate Rimac and CEO Marko Pejkovic, is taking a different approach from Rimac’s high-performance roots. The company is developing a purpose-built autonomous vehicle, a two-seat electric pod with no steering wheel or pedals. Designed for comfort and affordability, its cabin offers legroom comparable to a luxury sedan. While this custom vehicle is not yet ready for public roads, the company is moving forward commercially using available technology.
Under the new agreement, Pony.ai will supply both the autonomous driving technology and the initial vehicles. Its Gen-7 system will be deployed on the Arcfox Alpha T5, a robotaxi developed with Chinese automaker BAIC. Verne will own and operate the fleet, manage customer service, and secure necessary regulatory approvals. Uber’s role is to integrate the robotaxi service directly into its global app, giving it immense platform reach while Verne also offers its own dedicated application.
The commercial ambition behind this venture is substantial. The partners announced plans to scale to a fleet of thousands of robotaxis over the next several years, expanding from Zagreb into other European cities and international markets. Uber has also signaled its intent to become a strategic investor in Verne, providing capital for future growth. This move aligns with Uber’s broader strategy of building an autonomous vehicle network through partnerships, a path it chose after selling its own self-driving unit in 2020.
For Pony.ai, which is already listed on the NASDAQ and Hong Kong exchanges, the Zagreb launch marks its first commercial deployment in Europe. The company reports it has achieved unit economics breakeven with its services in several Chinese cities. For Verne, the partnership delivers critical elements: immediate platform integration through Uber, a path to funding, and added credibility as it seeks regulatory clearance to transition from testing to revenue-generating operations.
Verne has been preparing for this scale since its founding in 2019. The company has raised 100 million euros in private funding and has preliminary agreements with 11 cities across Europe and the Middle East, identifying the UK and Germany as priority expansion markets. Construction of its dedicated factory near Zagreb began in February 2025. The 28,500-square-meter facility in Lučko is expected to become operational this year and will eventually employ up to 400 people to produce Verne’s own autonomous vehicles for global deployment.
(Source: The Next Web)
