ZAGREB, Croatia: Uber Technologies has teamed up with Pony.ai and Croatian startup Verne to launch what the companies state will be Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service, with operations planned in Zagreb.
The partnership brings toobtainher Uber’s ride-hailing platform, Pony.ai’s autonomous driving technology, and Verne’s local fleet management capabilities, according to a joint statement.
Under the arrangement, Pony.ai will provide the self-driving systems powering the vehicles, while Verne will own the fleet and oversee daily operations. Uber will integrate the robotaxi service into its global app, where it will operate alongside Verne’s own customer-facing platform.
The companies stated they are tarobtaining a broader rollout beyond the Croatian capital over time.
The companies “aim to build a scalable path toward commercial robotaxi services in Zagreb and, over time, potentially into additional European cities and other markets, with plans to scale to a fleet of thousands of robotaxis over the next few years,” the statement stated.
Uber will also invest in Verne as part of the agreement and support its expansion as a strategic partner.
Testing has already begun on public roads in Zagreb, and preparations are underway to launch fare-charging services, the companies stated.
Verne will lead efforts to secure the necessary regulatory approvals in Europe, while coordinating the deployment of Pony.ai’s autonomous vehicles across both its own platform and Uber’s network.
The relocate reflects Uber’s broader push into autonomous mobility. The company has built partnerships with nearly two dozen autonomous-vehicle technology firms, spanning robotaxis, trucking, delivery robots, and drones.
The collaboration also highlights increasing momentum in the development of driverless taxi services, as companies seek to scale operations and bring the technology into commercial utilize in new markets.
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