Uber has partnered with China’s Pony AI and Croatia’s Verne to introduce what it claims to be Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service. The vehicles are currently being tested in Zagreb, Croatia, where Verne is based, and will be made available on Uber’s ridehail platform. This move is part of Uber’s strategy to mitigate the potential impact of robotaxis on its traditional ridehail business by collaborating with multiple autonomous vehicle developers. Pony AI is known for its operations in various Chinese cities, and Verne originated from supercar maker Rimac. In this collaboration, Uber will supply the ridehail network and customers, Verne will oversee the fleet, and Pony AI will provide the autonomous driving tech. The service will first launch in Zagreb, with plans to expand across Europe, aiming for thousands of robotaxis in the coming years.
The companies are verifying the technology on Zagreb’s streets using Pony AI’s Arcfox Alpha T5 Robotaxi, featuring its latest technology. Developed with Beijing Automotive Group Co, this vehicle, once fares are implemented, will be part of Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service.
However, they face competition. Waymo plans to launch a robotaxi service in London by 2026. Uber is already testing self-driving cars with Momenta in Germany, while Volkswagen aims to introduce an autonomous ridesharing service with its Moia subsidiary in Germany as well.
For Verne, progress has been quiet since its inception as a side project of Rimac. Last year, Mate Rimac, CEO of Rimac Group, showcased 60 prototype autonomous vehicles. It remains uncertain if these will join Uber’s fleet.