Zagreb, Croatia is set to become the launchpad for Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service, a groundbreaking venture by a consortium including Uber, autonomous driving leader Pony.ai, and Croatian startup Verne. This collaboration aims to integrate Pony.ai’s advanced self-driving technology with Uber’s extensive ride-hailing network and Verne’s operational expertise, marking a significant step towards the widespread adoption of autonomous mobility on the continent.
The partnership between Uber, Pony.ai, and Verne signifies a major leap forward for autonomous vehicle services in Europe. The initial deployment will take place in Zagreb, with on-road validation and preparations for fare-charging services already underway. This initiative leverages Pony.ai’s proven Gen-7 autonomous driving system, deployed on the Arcfox Alpha T5 Robotaxi, to offer a safe and efficient transportation solution.
Under the agreement, Pony.ai will supply its cutting-edge autonomous driving solutions. Verne will serve as the fleet owner and operational service provider, responsible for market readiness and securing European regulatory approvals. Uber will integrate the robotaxi service into its global ride-hailing platform, complementing Verne’s customer-facing interface. This tripartite model is designed to create a scalable framework for expanding commercial robotaxi services not only within Zagreb but also to additional European cities and beyond.
Both Pony.ai and Uber have expressed optimism about the venture’s potential. Pony.ai, which has already achieved commercial scale and unit economics breakeven in several Chinese cities, sees this partnership as a crucial step in its global expansion. Uber, aiming to bolster its position in the evolving mobility landscape, views this as an important stride towards making autonomous ride-hailing more accessible. The companies have ambitious plans to scale the robotaxi fleet to thousands of vehicles over the next few years, with Zagreb serving as the crucial first market.
Pony.ai’s autonomous driving systems utilize advanced machine learning and deep learning to navigate complex road scenarios. The Gen-7 system, integrated into the Arcfox Alpha T5, represents the company’s latest technological offering. This collaboration also highlights the growing presence of Chinese autonomous driving companies in the European market, as they seek to diversify their operations.